June 24, 2026 Susan Lynn (Walter) Leach, 74

Susan Lynn (Walter) Leach, 74, passed away on June 5, 2026, in Edmond, Oklahoma. Services were held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Hayes Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at the Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery in Guthrie, OK.
Susan was born on January 31,1952 in Clinton, Iowa to Richard L. and Mildred (Brown) Walter. At nine months, Susan became sick and was diagnosed with diabetes, close to being in a coma. She spent five to six weeks in a University Hospital in Iowa City. Susan spent her childhood growing up on a farm in Lenox, Iowa. As she grew, her life became a ritual of doctors, insulin shots, special diet, and watchful eyes on her blood sugar levels, and through that she decided at a young age that she wanted to become a nurse. Doctors told her that she couldn’t be a nurse because of her diabetes, which was a blow to her dreams. But she was determined to fill her dream and one doctor said he thought she would be a great nurse! So, after graduating from Lenox High School in 1970, he signed her recommendation letter to nursing school at Bishop Clarkson School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated and received her nursing cap in May 1974.
In 1974, Susan married Gilbert Yates and two children were born to that union, Jennifer and Christopher. In 1994, Susan married J.R. Leach and doubled her family with J.R.’s two boys. Susan and J.R. were devoted scout leaders and enjoyed many camp trips and scouting adventures for many years.
For Susan, nursing was never just a job; it was a calling. She worked in surgery, emergency rooms and as a cardiac nurse. She spent her life helping people during some of the most difficult moments they would ever face. She continued her work until 2001 when a severe injury ended her nursing career, which was her biggest disappointment. After a long recovery and rehab she became the outreach coordinator for the First Baptist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. Susan loved God and her family most of all and spent many hours deeply reading the bible and studying scripture growing stronger in her faith.
Susan is preceded in death by her parents Richard and Mildred, and brother David. She is survived by her husband of 34 years J.R.; sisters Jeanne and husband Jerry Masters of Dover, AR, Janis and husband Tom Christensen of Lenox, IA, brothers Mark and wife Juliann Walter of Manson, IA, Dr. John & wife Jane Walter of Tarkio, MO.; her four children Jennifer Yates of Okarche, OK, Christopher and wife Erica of Seminole, OK, Clint Leach of Stillwater, OK, Christopher Leach of Guthrie, OK, father-in-law Darrell and wife Corrine Leach of Guthrie, OK, brothers-in-law Mike Leach of Guthrie, OK, Kevin Leach of Maysville, OK, as well as ten grandchildren and a host of extended family and dear friends who will miss her deeply
In lieu of flowers, family ask that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org), the American Heart Association (heart.org), or a charity of your choice.
Susan’s journey was hard, but the Lord carried her through all of this. She was a healer to others, a nurse and caregiver chosen to reflect Christ’s compassion, bringing hope to those in their darkest hours. And now, rest assured, she is with Jesus, her Savior, worshipping at His feet with God whispering in her ear:
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”