Susan Lea Bartelt was born Loya Susan Lea Meyer, on July 15, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She grew up on a farm, in the rural community of Williamsburg, Iowa. In January of 1975, Susan headed off to college. Her love for writing began, after taking some courses in creative writing and receiving straight A's in all of them. Writing seemed to come naturally, for her. Susan graduated from Concordia Teachers College, in Seward Nebraska, in August of 1979, with a Major in Elementary Education, a concentration in Early Childhood, and a Minor in Speech/Drama. On June 6, 1981, she married Mark Richard Bartelt. They divorced, on January 12, 2001. Susan taught preschool and elementary school, in both the private and public sector, in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, from August 1979 until June 2010. Her last teaching position was at a Kindercare, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, working with 6 -12 month old children. She, herself, has two grown sons, one grown daughter, and one grandson. Susan is currently enjoying her retirement in the community of Clintonville, Wisconsin.