Susan C. Zelenka PHOENIX, ARIZ. 1950 – 2016
On the morning of Feb. 20, 2016, Susan Crystelle Zelenka passed away after a long battle with numerous complications from a massive stroke she suffered in September of 2014. She was surrounded by family members, bathed in love and support as she left heaven bound from Phoenix, Arizona – not surprisingly on her own terms. Susan was 65-years-old. Susan was born in 1950 in Albuquerque, New Mexico the youngest of four children of Luman and Mary Martin. Susan was raised in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee area and joined the Army in 1977. After numerous tours of duty herself and with her husband Ernie, they retired from the military in the Florence/Muscle Shoals, Alabama area. While there, she opened Crafty Critters – craft shop, received her master’s degree from the University of North Alabama in education and worked at Kilby Laboratory School for a short period of time. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Florence before starting the final chapter of her life with a move to Arizona. Following their daughter they established their second retirement home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. For many years she fought health issues but wouldn’t’ stop, until a stroke slowed her down. But even the stroke didn’t squash her willingness to fight. After nearly 18 months of fighting numerous medical complications, she passed away. She is survived by her husband, Ernie; children, Todd Zelenka and wife, Kristi, Thom Zelenka and wife, Deb, and Chrissy Carmack and husband, Justin; grandchildren, Payden and wife, Deven, Abby, Kylee, and Amelia; and great-granddaughter, Madilynn. She is also survived by two brothers, Charlie Martin and wife, Connie, Denver, Colorado, and Dr. Timothy Martin and wife, Gloria, Sheffield, Alabama, and a host of extended family. Her funeral services will be held at Berardinelli Family Funeral Service in Sante Fe, New Mexico on March 21, 2016. There will be a viewing and celebration of life service at the funeral home, and she will be laid to rest at the National Veterans Cemetery with military honors. She had requested, in lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. It is only fitting that she started her career helping children and desired to continue her legacy of love by providing for them even after death.
