Nena Rea "Susie" Schlereth

NENA REA "SUSIE" SCHLERETH, age 72, died on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at her home in Little Rock after a 10 year struggle with COPD. Susie was born to the late Emmett and Dorothy Ellington on Sept. 14, 1940, in Las Vegas, N.M. She spent her formative years in Texas, Alaska, and Nevada. She graduated from Reno High School in 1958 and moved to Little Rock that following year. Susie is survived by her husband of 50 years, John V. Schlereth; two children, Karen Michele (Tom) Dematti and J. Vincent Schlereth Jr.; two granddaughters, Megan (Nick) Mitrani and Mallory (Jett) Ricks; one great-grandson, Luca Vincent Mitrani; brothers, Ken Ellington of Houston, Texas, Morris (Marilee) Nard of Penrose, Colo.; brother-in-law, Larry Dilday; four nephews, Gary (Karen) Price, Robert (Rebecca) Price, both of Maumelle, Ark., Eric (Allison) Ellington of Denver, Colo., and Christopher Ellington of Lexington Park, Md.; one niece, Cadence (Jesse) Hansen of Wakefield, R.I.; a spoiled little black and white terrier named Sophie; and a number of other relatives and close friends. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Melissa Dilday. She spent a number of years working in the women's clothing business at the Bird Cage, C.J. Nichols and New Traditions, but her true calling in life was as a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her smiling face, pleasant manner and a strong devotion to her family is the way she will always be remembered. Her family consumed her life and gave her a tremendous amount of pride and satisfaction. She left this world in complete peace with herself and with no regrets for the way she had lived her life. Her courage displayed over the last 10 years has set a high standard for the rest of her family to follow. The family would like to thank Dr. David Lipschitz, the UAMS Center on Aging, Dr. Jeanne Wei and Arkansas Hospice for all the care they have provided over the last 10 years. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m.,Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. A memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at the Roller Chenal Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic High School Capital Campaign, 6300 Father Tribou Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.