Honoring the incredible life of
Dr. Susan D. Wells-Ikonen
October 30, 1952 – February 18, 2026
Please join us as we gather to honor the remarkable legacy of Dr. Susan D. Wells-Ikonen.
Susan overcame a violently abusive childhood to get admitted to the University of Alabama Dental School as 1 of only 4 women in a class of 60. She refused to remain a victim.
A true pioneer for women in dentistry, Susan ranked in the top 4% of her profession nationally and the top 2% in Alabama. That includes all dentists, not just women!
She remarried and gave birth to a healthy baby boy at age 40 and created a happy and close family with lots of pets.
Susan excelled in business and travelled the world with her family from the Continental U.S. to Hawaii, Finland, Sweden, Lapland, the United Kingdom, France and the Seychelles. She absorbed the Finnish culture, learned to bake Finnish Christmas pastries, wore traditional Finnish clothing and even learned to speak a few sentences in Finnish. Susan loved America and Finland.
She was a licensed scuba diver. A runner. A proud owner of three Corvettes. We called her the female Indiana Jones.
Susan was fearless in business and unwavering in principle. She believed in personal responsibility. She demanded excellence, from herself and from everyone around her. She disliked excuses and had no patience for victimhood.
In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Susan was also a passionate animal lover. In retirement, she rescued over 70 homeless cats and found them loving forever homes.
Susan passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and friends.
When & Where
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Nashville, 1130 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Program & Refreshment
The afternoon will feature a special musical tribute by Nashville Country Recording Artist Jon Statham, Jyrki Tapio Ikonen and Special Guests.
Program Schedule on Sunday, March 29, 2026
Short introduction at 1.00 pm
Funeral Service at 1:30
Prayer at 2:00 pm
Memorial concert 2:30 pm
Coffee and conversation at 3:30 pm
Event ends at 5:00 pm
We invite you to enjoy coffee, cupcakes, and light hors d’oeuvres as we share memories of Susan’s vibrant life and career.
Attire
Susan was a lifelong, avid University of Alabama fan. In her honor, we invite you to wear your favorite Crimson Tide gear, apparel from your own favorite sports team or business casual attire.
Flowers & Tributes
Susan dearly loved animals, plants, and flowers. Our goal is to surround her with a “sea of flowers” one last time.
Please send floral arrangements of your choice directly to the event location.
For those unable to attend in person, a recording of the celebration will be shared on YouTube following the event.
A giant Thank You to the Top Gun doctors and nurses at Grandview Medical Center and Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine for the love and expert care you gave Susan and for never giving up on her.
RSVP
Kindly confirm your attendance to Jyrki Tapio Ikonen:
Email: jyrki@tapioikonen.com
Phone: (205) 825-0290
With love,
Jyrki Tapio and Markus Ikonen
