Susie Ahklahsee Kokeok
Susie Ahklahsee Kokeok was born on June 7, 1944 to Ida and Charlie Weyauvanna in Shishmaref, Alaska. She went to be with the Lord on May 27, 2019 surrounded by her family.
As a child, Susie, grew up in Brevig and moved to Shishmaref after their brother, Warren passed.
Ben and Susie were married on February 11, 1974, they honored their vows, “Till death do us part.”
Susie graduated from Chemawa Boarding School in Oregon in 1969. She worked as a housekeeper and various jobs while attending school. She loved living the subsistence way, which lead to the love of going boating, camping, picking greens, berries and looked forward to spring hunt harvesting. During spring hunt, she always looked forward to working on oogruks and walrus. She made sure all her kids had everything they needed while they were growing up. She taught her daughters and anyone who needs help or guidance. Often times she would provide food for Elders over the years. Her hobbies included sewing and beading, dog mushing during special events, visiting, attending birthday parties, storytelling, spending time with family, watching basketball (live and NBA). She loved raising all her kids, especially her grandkids. She gave a helping hand to anyone who needed it.
She started working at the Shishmaref School as a Special Education Aide in the late 1970’s and retired in 2006. She did detention with students in the 1980s. She had a lot of patience for kids to learn. By August 2007, she continued to work part-time, two hours a day until January 2019. The majority of her time at work was to call students every single morning to go to school. She helped organized the staff gift exchange at the school Christmas program every year. She was always eager to volunteer during Inupiaq Days at the school, and teach anyone who wanted to learn.
Susie was also known for her sourdough hot cakes and would make them on a daily basis. She fed many different people and people would often remember her cooking.
Susie served on the Shishmaref Elder’s Committee and was selected to attend various meetings, including AFN on an annual basis. She was selected as Elder of the Year in 2017 for the Shishmaref Native Corporation and was proud to receive a clock plaque.
She had a very adventurous outlook on life; she always had a smile, contagious laugh, special humor and a special way to make people smile. So many people who met her always remember her as a happy, wonderful person. Susie and Ben opened their home, at any time, to so many people and gained so many friendships throughout the years.
Susie had unique names for each of her grandkids and also some community members. She always told her grandkids that she loved them as they were leaving from visiting with her. She always reminded her family to pray and have faith. Susie shares her strong faith in the Lord and went to church as long as she was able to and looked forward to having weekly communion from various Pastors throughout the years. Sometimes she looked forward to the communion because she knew it was important from the pastor. Even through her darkest days, her personality shined that lit up any room.
Susie is survived by her husband, Ben, children, grandchildren, Bryan (Charlie), Nancy and Robbie (Austin, Corey, Edgar, Sarah, Sonja, & Hunter), Harry & Lori (Morgan), Wilsa & Ralph (Bradley, Michael, Carl, & Dawn), Annie & Jason (Luke & Dalton), Norman & Vanessa (Kaden & Ida) great-grandchildren, Chanelle & Keely, sister & brother-in-law Clara & Shelton Kokeok. She has numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is proceeded in death by Charlie & Ida Weyauvanna (parents), twin sister Edna, brothers Warren and Jacob, her uncles/Aunties: Weyiouanna’s (Alex,Esau, Stephan, Johnny, Irene), Olanna’s (Washington, Elliot, Arnold, Alfred, Frieda, Marie, Anna, Harry) Harry & Signa Kokeok (Father & Mother-in-law), 1st Shelton, Edward, Carmen, Charles, (unnamed baby boy) & Norman Kokeok (Brothers- in-law) Sarah Tocktoo & Martha Kokeok (Sisters-in-law), nephews Alfred Charlie & Norman Charlie “Boy” Kokeok and niece: 1st Karen Nellie Kokeok.
