With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Sue, a cherished wife, devoted mother, and beloved kindergarten teacher, who passed away on April 16, 2024 at the age of 81. Sue was a radiant presence, her warmth and compassion touching countless lives.
Born with a nurturing spirit, Sue found her calling in education. For years, she poured her boundless love and energy into her role as a kindergarten teacher, fostering curiosity and kindness in her students. Her classroom was a haven of laughter, creativity, and learning, where she aimed for each child to feel seen and valued.
Sue’s love extended beyond the classroom walls. She was known for her unwavering affection for both children and animals alike. Her home was a sanctuary for furry and feathered friends, and she instilled in her own children a deep appreciation for all living beings.
Sue is survived by her loving husband, Ron, and their five children, Brad, Brett, Beth, Brodie, and Bryn, their spouses and partners, and four grandchildren, Caden, Trevor, Teagan, and Landon.
Private services will be held. If you would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org).
Sue’s legacy of loving kindness lives on through the lives she touched and will continue to inspire the many who were impacted by her presence. May she rest in peace, knowing that she was deeply loved and will be forever missed.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Sue.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Sue and her family.
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Mary Crone says
Sue’s parting feels like having a page torn from the book of my life. A chapter that was filled with laughter, kindness, lunches, books, hikes in the RMNP, and a bond that transcended mere friendship. Sue helped mold the person I have become today.
I first met Sue teaching at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Fort Collins, Colorado. Sue took me under her wing from the first day. She shared her knowledge and creativity of teaching and her spirited whirlwind zest for life. She shared her love for reading, which made me the vivid reader I am today. She shared her books and favorite authors with me, such as Barbara Kingsolver (Bean Trees, The Poisonwood Bible), Sandra Dallas (Chili Queen, The Persian Pickle Club, The Diary of Mattie Spencer), Fannie Flagg (Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe). When I became a mother Sue taught me about mother’s intuition and reassured me that I have all it takes to be an awesome mother. She shared with me her compassionate heart and a spirit that sought to make a difference in the world.
Over the years, life took us in different directions. Careers, families, and responsibilities took us down different paths. Sue’s departure has left a void, a silence that is deafening. But in the midst of this grief, I choose to focus on the legacy she left behind. A legacy of joy, of the love for her family, of embracing each day as a gift, and of treasuring the bonds we form. The beauty of life is not in its permanence, but in the memories we create, the laughter we share, and the bonds we forge. Today, my heart is heavy with grief but also brimming with gratitude for having had Sue in my life.
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
Sue, The world will be a bit emptier without your infectious laughter and incredible kindness. I feel so blessed to have called you my friend, and I am forever grateful for the precious time we spent together. I love you. I will miss you. You will always be in my heart. Good friends never say goodbye. They simply say, See you soon. So, my friend… I’ll see you soon. Have a safe journey ahead.
My condolences to the family. Sending healing thoughts and comfort.