Sue Anne Angerbauer Higgs

Our angel sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Sue Anne Angerbauer Higgs, 65, honorably graduated from mortality on July 10, 2021. She passed from this life peacefully, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and siblings, who will miss her dearly. She lived courageously, with grace, gratitude, and dignity, and is an inspiration to all who knew her.

Early Life
Sue was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Annamae (née Billeter) and Ralph Edmond Angerbauer, on March 27, 1956. She lived in the Avenues until age four, in Beaverton, Oregon, for several years, and then in Bountiful, Utah, for the rest of her life. Growing up, Sue was extremely athletic and enjoyed playing sports with her older brother Steven and younger brother David. Sue’s interests included skiing, tennis, golf, softball, and basketball. She also enjoyed riding her family’s “Honda 90” and “Honda 70” trail motorcycles. Sue attended Bountiful High School, where she was in the pep club, excelled in scholastics, served on the Seminary Council, and was the Student Body Historian.

College and Career
Sue had a lifelong love of children and teaching that was largely inspired by her mother, who was a revered elementary school teacher for decades, including during periods of Sue’s youth. Sue graduated manga cum laude from the University of Utah (the “U of U”) with a degree in elementary education in 1978 and became a beloved and revered elementary school teacher in her own right. Her care and creativity blessed and inspired many young lives during her service as a second- and third-grade teacher at Orchard Elementary School in North Salt Lake from 1978 to 1984. Even after becoming a mother, Sue continued to teach, both as a substitute and in part-time capacities, as opportunity permitted.

Married and Family Life
Sue met Lynn Higgs, an academic advisor and astronomy professor in the U of U Physics Department, at a singles conference at the Woods Cross Regional Center in 1983. Their first date was to a musical at the Pioneer Memorial Theater on the U of U campus. Through Lynn’s continued courtship, Sue not only fell in love with Lynn, a widower, but also came to know and love his children: Elizabeth (age 11), Rebecca (age 9), and Daniel (age 6). Sue and Lynn were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 10, 1984.

Lynn’s extended family and the family of his late first wife, Rosemary (the Higgs and Smith families, respectively), welcomed Sue with open arms and deep admiration for the sacrifices she made in becoming an instant mother of three. Sue’s family likewise graciously welcomed Lynn and his children. Sue remained particularly close with her parents, both literally and figuratively—her house was less than two miles from theirs, which allowed for frequent visits, and Sue’s mother was her best friend and closest confidante.

Sue discontinued her full-time employment as a teacher to dedicate her attention to raising and caring for her three children, whom she loved and considered her own. In time, Sue’s and Lynn’s family grew as they celebrated the birth of Thomas in 1986 and Nathan in 1989. Sue was a loving and devoted mother who enjoyed volunteering in her children’s school classes, attending their every performance, and encouraging and fostering their individual progress in each facet of their lives. Sue also loved to create memories for her children, such as by making every birthday, holiday, and significant event a special occasion with gifts and meticulously coordinated decorations and flourishes. Sue’s children attribute their successes in life, including awards (three Eagle Scouts, for example), scholarships, missions, temple marriages, careers, and continued faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to Sue’s devoted care and example as a mother and disciple of the Savior.

Sue was known as “Grandma Sue” or “Grandma Sue Sue” to her grandchildren, who absolutely adored her. For all celebratory occasions, Grandma Sue Sue provided heartfelt notes and thoughtful gifts as testaments of her love, even when her health was at its worst. And much to her grandchildren’s delight, Grandma Sue Sue’s stores of “fun fruits” and other treats—present at every party, visit, or chance encounter—were inexhaustible.

Sue reveled in planning and taking family trips, such as to Disneyland, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Hawaii. She realized one of her fondest dreams by treating her entire family, including all children and their spouses and all grandchildren, to two Disney cruises—one to Mexico (with Lynn) and another to Alaska (after Lynn had passed away).

Health Challenges
Sue was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in January of 1997. She met this devastating news with fortitude and determination, pushing forward in faith. For years she continued to travel, ski, and carry on family traditions. When physical limitations eventually inhibited her mobility, Sue graciously accepted help from others and met each challenge with optimism and gratitude. She gave what energy she had to bless her family and all who meant so much to her. Even when her hands and body became extremely weak, with great effort and sacrifice she persisted in sending daily texts of love and encouragement.

Sue was grateful for her myriad friends. Many were members of the Mueller Park 1st Ward, of which she too was a member since 1984. Others were from her youth, her schooling and teaching, and even from her many years of receiving assistance from devoted caregivers. Sue was always appreciative of the excellent care she received from various organizations and individuals over the years, including many home-health-care and hospice nurses. She was blessed to develop meaningful friendships with so many who felt inspired in her presence.

Love of the Gospel
Sue had a deep love for and trust in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and in the sure promise of the Resurrection. She shared her faith and testimony frequently. The challenges she faced intensified her brightness of hope. Throughout her life, she blessed many through her service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sue loved serving as a young women’s advisor, in several Relief Society and primary presidencies, and as a dedicated visiting teacher and ministering sister. Sue attended her church meetings faithfully, even when a mobilized wheelchair and a specialized van for transporting it were required to do so. Many found strength in her humble yet determined faith, and expressed sentiments such as, “If Sue can make it to church, then I have no excuse!” Sue lived her testimony of Jesus Christ consistently and joyously through every challenge of her mortal journey.

Sue is preceded in death by her husband, Lynn Higgs, and her parents, Annamae and Ralph Angerbauer. She will be greatly missed by her children, Elizabeth (John) McConkie, Rebecca (Timothy) Plaizier, Daniel (Lisa) Higgs, Thomas (Angie) Higgs, Nathan (Lynae) Higgs, 22 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her father-in-law, Dell Higgs, and those she loved as brothers and sisters, including David (Rose) Angerbauer, Steven (Tracy) Angerbauer, Shauna Angerbauer, Lorinda (Dave) Anderson, Larry (Gail) Groves, Suzanne (Stephen) Jones, Briant (Susan) Smith, and Chrissie (Stan) Rasmussen.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the Mueller Park 1st Ward, 850 East 1800 South, Bountiful, UT. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, UT., and Saturday morning 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be at the Memorial Lakeview Cemetery in Bountiful.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and Sue’s obituary page at www.russonmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National MS Society.