Sue Pope, 86

Sutton resident Sue Pope, 86, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Memorial Community Care in Aurora, NE. A celebration of her life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, NE with Pastor Karl Larson officiating. Interment will follow at the Sutton Cemetery. No public visitation. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Sutton Education Foundation. Sue started her life as Sue Waterman, the youngest child of Arthur Waterman and Kate (Richens) Waterman. She was born on January 13, 1938, in Price, Utah. Sue’s strong work ethic began early in life as her father owned the Independent Dairy in Price. She and her siblings participated in all the responsibilities of the dairy. By age six she was collecting milk from the farmers, washing milk bottles, helping process and delivering milk to customers. While the family dairy took precedence, time was carved out for 4-H where Sue learned to sew. She also enjoyed great family camping trips and years of dance lessons and competitions. After graduating from Price Senior High School, she attended Darrell and Joseph’s Beauty College and was a beautician in Salt Lake City until 1957, when she moved with her sister Judy to Hastings, Nebraska. It was there she met the love of her life Dale Pope, on the dance floor at the National Guard Armory in Hastings. Dale and Sue were married on April 5th, 1958, and began their married life on a farm south of Sutton, Nebraska. Their daughter ReeAnn was born in 1959, followed by their son Kirk in 1960. Most of her life was spent as a mother and farmwife, but she also managed to teach dance classes, lead a Blue Bird group, participate in the Mad Hatter extension club and continued dancing with Dale. They enjoyed traveling the USA; including trips to Las Vegas, one highlighted by seeing Elvis Presley. Sue’s creative outlet was sewing. She made many wedding dresses, but her true passion became quilting which she continued to do up until months before her death. Sue was known by family and friends for her incredible meals, fabulous Christmas Eve gatherings, handcrafted Father Christmases and a sharp wit that at times leaned toward the sarcastic, but always in a loving way. She was loved and admired by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While she will be deeply missed by those that loved her, we find comfort that she is free of pain and resting in peace. Sue was preceded in death by her parents; Husband; sisters, Geri Williams and Carol Barnes; brother, Garth Reid; brothers-in-law, Robert Williams; Ed Johnson and sister-in-law, Naomi Reid. Surviving Sue are her sister, Judy Johnson; children, ReeAnn (partner Terry King) Regier; Kirk (Marie) Pope; grandchildren, Jarod (Kelsey) Regier; Brittany (William) Stockstill; Wade (Katie) Regier; Cassidy Regier; Taylor (Tara) Pope; Colt (partner Kayla Nuss) Pope; Maggie (Salvador) Mendoza; 19 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Tom Barnes; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and special childhood friend Cliff Arno.

Tributes

Sue Pope, 86

January 13, 1938 - August 6, 2024