Susan Banthony Wagenman Appel picked up her wings on Jan. 31, 2008. Susan Wagenman was born April 28, 1915 to parents Alpheus and Amy Wagenman.

She came to Wenatchee by train in 1935 at the age of 20 from Williston, North Dakota. She worked at the Owl Drug Store in Wenatchee where she met Howard Appel in 1936. They were married Sept. 1936. Their first son, Lawrence Appel, died at birth. Their second son, King David Appel, was born in Wenatchee and then the family moved to Tonasket in 1940 where Judy, Janice, John, Chet, Goldie and Delicia were born.

Susan was a homemaker and helped work the family orchard, running the picking crew and feeding the transient help. Many of the apple pickers were to return to help every year because Susan fed them, talked to them and made them feel like they mattered. Susan was known throughout the area as the cake lady — she decorated cakes for weddings, parties and just about anything you needed a cake for. If she didn’t make the cake for your wedding she probably played the organ for it. She spent many years playing for church at the Brethren Church and the Community Church in Tonasket. Even when she was in her 80’s she loved to go play the organ at the rest homes because as she said, “the old people really enjoy it.”

Susan has been under the loving care of her daughter Judy McDaniel for the last five years due to declining health. Susan led a service-oriented life to her family and those around her with a smile on her face. Many will miss her smile, her willingness to help and her loaves of homemade bread.

She is survived by her children: Judy McDaniel, Jan McDaniel (Bill), John Appel (Mary), Chet Appel (Vicki), Goldie Kelso (Jim) and Delicia; her sister, Agnes Wagenman; 21 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her son, Lawrence Appel, her son and daughter-in-law, King Appel and Diane; her husband, Howard Appel; granddaughter, Johna Jo Appel; grandson, Stacy Appel and son-in-law, Ron McDaniel.

Services will be at the Ellisforde Church of the Brethren on Feb. 9, 2008 at 11 a.m. and lunch will follow. For those that wish to send memorials the family suggests the Ellisforde Church of the Brethren, 32116 Highway 97, Tonasket, WA 98855. For Family contact Box 732, Tonasket, WA 98855.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in care of arrangements.