Died April 15th 2020 Kaysville, Utah. She bravely battled and conquered stage four cancer for the last 6 years.
Susan spent the first few years of her life living on upper Fisher Lane in Millcreek, Utah with her parents on her grandparents farm. She was the first grandchild and she was beloved by her grandparents, uncles and aunts. The family moved to Kearns, Utah in 1955.
Susan was the oldest of five children. She had three younger brothers: Todd, Barry and Rick and a younger sister Lisa, that simply adored her. Susan’s love of dance came from her mother and father and they instilled that in her at a young age. Susan and her father Gale Bruse often performed together at roadshows and christmas parties around the valley. They also performed often at the American Fork training center for the mentally and physically challenged residents there. Susan was a dance teacher at her mother’s dance studio, Dotty Etta Dance Studio, starting at the age of 8 all through her high school and college years.
She attended Granger High School and excelled in dance and cheerleading. She was very popular and beautiful. She won the title of Miss Kearns 1966-67 and was a contestant in the Miss Utah pageant. She also won titles in other county and local contests. She was a Ballet major at University of Utah. She was picked by her professors to dance as the youngest soloist in the first outdoor performance of Promised Valley on Temple Square. They performed all summer long, every night without rain. Rex made it home from his mission in the Southern states to watch her solo. She married him, the true love of her life, Rex Lee Beaird, in the Salt Lake Temple in August 1968. The marriage was performed by Thomas S. Monson, who worked with her father at Deseret Printing. They were married for 52 years at the time of her passing. Rex gave tender care for all her needs in the days, weeks, months and years before her passing. In her words: “So blessed to have a husband who loves me and at this time being there and caring for me means everything.” Her children were her greatest joy and her daughters Angela and Aimeé were born 17 months apart, 4 boys Aaron Travis, Daniel Ray, Ryan Lee and Michael Bruse followed the girls and she had her hands and heart full!
Susan was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She graduated from Seminary in 1965 and taught others the gospel in her wards and in her home. Her love of the Savior was an example to all of her family and friends. Recently she wrote her testimony, “Faith is key and having knowledge of the plan has let me get through hard times and continue the journey with hope. With our Savior’s help, knowing that he understands and loves each one of us and is there to help us. So Thankful for Jesus Christ our Lord, I know that He Lives and will guide us and bless us.”
Susan also taught dance in her own studios for many years, and ran her own business selling popular t-shirts and sweatshirts. She and Rex directed many roadshows and always won awards and appreciation for including the youth in the ward, always making these events fun. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in 1995. Her love of nature, this beautiful world and what Heavenly Father had created for us was her joy and she passed this trait down to her children. She loved to cook for everyone, especially her family, and that was one of her ways of showing her love to others. Suzy had an amazing green thumb, and she grew a beautiful garden out of the most empty beds no matter where she lived. Flowers seemed to grow wherever she touched. But her best years were spent being a Grandma. Her 20 grandchildren are her greatest garden! Chelsea, Mitchel, Weston, Taylor, Nathan, Ethan, Kara (deceased), Lily, Nyan, Emma, Benji, Arick, Mia, Kendelle, Sophia, Tayen, Lauren, Adeline, Brandt, Penelope. In her words just days before passing, “My grandchildren are gorgeous!”
There will be a family graveside on Monday April 20th 11 – 12:30 PM at Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT.
A celebration of life to be held at a later date.
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