Susan Kay Beasley, 71, beloved wife, mom, Grams, and community member passed away August 18, 2020, with her family by her side, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE.

Born September 24, 1948, in Sheridan, WY, to Jerry and Geneva Powers, Susan was the eldest of two children. She grew up on the Powers Family Ranch, near Quietus, MT, where she attended the Bear Creek School, a one-room schoolhouse, and was the only child in her grade. As a girl, Susan was active in 4-H, especially enjoying clothing design and sewing. At fourteen, she began commuting to Sheridan and boarded with a family to attend Sheridan High School. Upon graduating in 1966, she went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Art from Sheridan College in 1968, and then studied art and education at Eastern Montana College in Billings.

Susan met John Beasley at a dance in Wyarno the evening of her Sheridan College graduation. After many persistent invitations, Susan finally agreed to accompany John on a date, and there began their life together. The couple was married September 5, 1970, and were blessed with their first daughter, Shaun, the following year. In less than a decade the young family lived in over thirty places, including Germany while John was serving in the U.S. Army. Their family grew to include two more girls, Heather and Jeriann, and they settled back in Sheridan in 1977.

The Beasleys spent nearly a decade raising their girls in Sheridan before moving to Omaha, NE in 1986. Whether in Wyoming or Nebraska, Susan was the consummate attentive mother. Always the classroom mom, she also dedicated countless hours to Special Olympics and successfully coaching youth soccer and volleyball teams. “I don’t know how to play the game, but I know who to play together,” she’d often say, which was telling of her empathetic and instinctual nature.

Putting her light into the world through something she was passionate about came naturally to Susan. In Sheridan, she worked as an art instructor for the Project Youth after-school-program. Upon moving to Omaha, Susan volunteered as a docent at the Joslyn Art Museum, and later as the art appreciation teacher at Morton Elementary.

Upon John’s retirement in 2000, the couple moved back to Sheridan and have since dedicated their time to supporting their family and community. A faithful and devout member of the United Methodist Church in Sheridan for many years, Susan loved teaching Sunday School and was actively engaged in women’s Bible studies and book clubs, various committees, and worked on three capital campaigns.

Painting was one of Susan’s biggest passions. Over the years, she was an active member of the Sheridan Artist’s Guild, even serving as president for a time in the early 1980’s. She enjoyed sharing her creativity with her daughters as well, regularly teaching art lessons in their home. Though she never considered a piece to be finished, many of her beautiful works bring love and light to the homes of her family and friends and will serve as steadfast reminders of Susan’s presence in the years to come.

Above all, Susan dedicated her life to her family, consistently attending to their needs before her own. She loved them deeply and without reservation. Becoming “Grams,” was undoubtedly one of the highlights of Susan’s life. She adored her six grandchildren and was particularly astute at recognizing each child’s unique traits and talents. Susan will always be remembered as compassionate, loving, supportive, intuitive, creative, strong and full of faith by all who loved and admired her.

Susan is survived by her husband of fifty years, John; daughters Heather (J.T.) Vaughan of Omaha, NE, and Jeriann (Arik) Jacobson of Sheridan, WY; grandchildren Shaelynn, Kael, Torin, Harper, Declan and Carlin; and nephew David Powers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Duane; nephew, Gerald; and her dear daughter, Shaun.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at 10:00 am, August 31st on the lawn at The Brinton Museum in Big Horn, WY, immediately followed by burial at the Big Horn Cemetery, and a reception at The Barn in Big Horn.

Memorial donations can be made in Susan’s honor to SAGE Community Arts at 21 W Brundage St., or the United Methodist Church of Sheridan at 215 W Works, both in Sheridan, WY 82801 Condolences can be mailed to Susan’s family at 434 Shadow Ridge Blvd., Sheridan, WY 82801.

The Sheridan Press - Aug. 25, 2020.