Susan Ellen Mansker

Susan Ellen Mansker (Daniels), formerly “Ms. Russell”

Susan Mansker, daughter of Wesley Daniels and the late Wanette Daniels (Abner) was born on December 2, 1966 in Chaffee, Missouri. Susan departed this life on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at her residence in Oran, Missouri. Susan was 59 years old.

Susan grew up in Oran, Missouri. She was raised by two devout Pentecostal parents and attended many services. She was a baptized and saved Christian - that had received the Holy Ghost. She had mentioned she had received and felt the Holy Ghost many times. Her childhood was filled with many fond memories. Some of these include going to Ruby Abner’s on Sundays to help make Sunday lunch. She loved eating Ruby’s peach cobbler. As a child, she loved to read and was inspired by her former teacher, Ms. Pendergrass to continue to read and learn. Her teenage years in Oran were filled with many adventures with her high school friends. She cherished those fun memories.

In 1984, she had her first big solo adventure when she traveled to Texas - and then later moved to Denver, Colorado on her own. She had the time of her life in Denver, with one of her best friends - Tonya Hartsell.

She returned to Oran from Denver. She graduated from Oran High School with honors - in 1985. She then began to dream of all the places she had read about, and chose to join the United States Marine Corps. She attended the rigorous USMC bootcamp in Parris Island, South Carolina. She often cited it as one of her proudest accomplishments.

Later she returned home from South Carolina, and worked to build and support her family. She was united in marriage to Allen Christoper Russell (later Mansker). They met on the Sikeston vo-tech bus - and spent more than 35 years together. They had 3 children together. She was an exemplary wife, extraordinary mother, and an excellent role model to her children. She considered her biggest accomplishment to be her 3 children - of whom she loved dearly - and was very much proud of each of them.

She once again chose to better herself by pursuing and receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She graduated with this degree in December of 1992. She was very proud of this degree. She was a very dedicated Director of Social Work for a nursing home in Perryville, MO in the early 1990s where she tirelessly helped many residents and families. Later, she was the office manager of a trailer manufacturing business in Sikeston, MO for many years owned by the Hull family. She was a very gifted, talented, and intelligent woman who was presented with many career opportunities, but always chose to stay in a safe small town and focus on raising her babies. She was a beloved substitute teacher (“Ms. Russell”) at many schools in Semo - including Scott County Central, Oran, Kelly, etc. She loved to help the kids that needed it most and they loved her too.

Survivors include her father, Wesley “Joe” Daniels of Oran, Missouri; one son, Allen (Desiree) Mansker II; two daughters, Stephani (Paul) Tollison and Kathleen Mansker; four grandchildren, Asher Mansker, Grey Mansker, Macy Lynn Parmer, and Paul Parmer; one brother, Timothy Daniels, one sister, Tammie Daniels, also by other relatives and friends.

Besides her mother, she was preceded in death by one brother, Paul Daniels; one granddaughter, Annabelle Nicole Mansker Parmer; four grandparents, Ruby and Edgar Abner, John and Bertha Daniels.

She had many fond memories in Southeast Missouri including her time spent in Oran and in Morley. She loved to take walks while listening to music. She loved to lay in the tanning bed and spend time with her kids and grandkids. She loved to travel, and her daughter Kathleen took her on as many trips as time allowed. She was extremely intelligent and an avid reader - and especially loved “Lord and Lady” books with a Scottish theme.

She was most well known for being extremely sharp witted, a beautiful woman, a kind soul, very funny, happy-go-lucky, and being a completely selfless person. If you had been lucky enough to know Susan, you had been blessed - because she always took care of those around her. Her children and grandkids were her pride and joy. She will be terribly missed for a very long time. Her brother Paul and her daughter Kathleen were her best friends. She missed her mother and brother Paul greatly. Above all, her greatest legacy was that she taught others to love - and how to love with your entire heart. We are sure that she is with Jesus.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran, Missouri. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran. Interment will follow in Friends Hill Cemetery in Oran.

Donations for the headstone and other out of pocket costs - can be made to: https://gofund.me/a64b5aadb

Her favorite color was purple with the combination of purple and yellow.

Immediately following the committal at the cemetery, a pot-luck lunch for her friends and family at the Jaycee Hall, 200 North Haw Street, Oran, Missouri 63771. Friends and family are asked to bring a side dish, drinks, or donation.