Sue E. Hullebusch, 73, passed away on September 11, 2026.

Sue was born on September 23, 1952, in Chillicothe, Missouri, to Albert “Frank” and Francis “Irene” Bench. As a young girl, she moved with her family to the Kansas City area, where she would make her home for the remainder of her life.

Sue graduated from North Kansas City High School, and spent some time in secondary education before going to work for TWA, serving in various accounting and administrative roles for 20 years. Her career with the airline gave her the opportunity to travel throughout the United States, visiting destinations such as San Diego, Hawaii and Las Vegas. While she enjoyed the benefits of air travel, Sue’s favorite way to see the country was from behind the wheel.

Sue knew every local backroad and seemed to have multiple routes to nearly every destination, from Smithville to Wichita. In addition to multiple daily drives, she enjoyed taking weekly road trips with her son, Joe. Together, they traveled near and far, making memories on trips to places including the Grand Canyon, Gettysburg, Lake Michigan, Yellowstone National Park, Nashville, and countless destinations in between.

On January 14, 1978, Sue married Thomas “Tom” Hullebusch, a love so certain that they were engaged within two weeks of meeting. Together, they shared their lives and raised their son, Joe.

Sue had a lifelong love of country music, from the earliest performers of the 50's and 60's all the way to two of her all time favorites, Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson. In addition to music, she had a deep love of film, acting as a veritable encyclopedia of Hollywood history and celebrities. She had a particular love of science fiction and was a proud “Trekkie,” passing her passion for everything Star Trek on to her son. Strangely but perhaps fittingly, her favorite "comfort" movie was Aliens.

She also had a deep love for animals, especially horses and dogs. In her younger years she was notorious for bringing home strays of all shapes and sizes, and for most of her life was never without a furry companion by her side.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Hullebusch; her brother, Charles “Chuck” Davis; her nephew Kevin Davis; her close uncle and aunt, Claude and Ruth Cooper; her favorite grandpup Jerry Lee; and her beloved pug, Elvis - her "favorite pain in the butt".

She will be lovingly remembered by her son, Joseph “Joe” Hullebusch; her sisters-in-law, Barbara Davis and Ann Karns; her nephews Michael "Mike" Murphy and Chris Davis, her cousins in the Cooper family; and other extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Terrace Park Cemetery – Lakeside Chapel on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sue’s honor to Wayside Waifs, reflecting her lifelong love and compassion for animals.