Susan “Susi” Rae (Lyon) Geertsen

Susan “Susi” Rae (Lyon) Geertsen ended her valiant battle with cancer and returned to her Heavenly Father on August 5, 2016 in the company of her children.
Susi was born July 3, 1953 in San Diego, California to Donald Ray Lyon and Shirley Bernice Clayton. She was raised in many places throughout California including San Diego, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Hanford, Alameda, and Salt Lake City, Utah as a proud “Navy Brat.” Susi’s Grandma Viola Ruby (Johnson) Lyon Merkley taught her how to sew at a young age. This is something she developed and loved throughout her life.
Susi attended numerous high schools due to her transient life, but finally graduated from Granite High School. She earned her cosmetology license and several degrees at Salt Lake Community College and attended the University of Utah studying as many subjects as she could cram in, including ballet, drama, photography, graphic design, web design, and costume design. Susi worked for many years at Salt Lake Community College. She also designed and made costumes for productions at many local venues including Promised Valley Playhouse, Hale Theater, Desert Star Playhouse, the Nauvoo Pageant, the Mormon Battalion, Savior of the World, and Power of his Touch. She has spent many years working as a substitute teacher all over Salt Lake Valley.
Susi married Rick David Geertsen in 1976 and was later sealed in the L.D.S. Temple. They were later divorced. They were blessed with four children; Heidi, Heather, Daniel and April. Her children remember her as a talented, giving, and loving mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals and did whatever it took to help them accomplish them (e.g., sewing costumes in exchange for ballet lessons, dance, and cheerleading fees). Throughout her career, Susi was hired to costume many productions and ballets. She was a most giving and loving person and a “Mom” to many people. She was an active and dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings and often shared her testimony of the gospel. Susi served a Church mission to the Nauvoo Pageant numerous years. She especially enjoyed working for the Church at the Conference Center Theater.
Susi was accomplished at costume design specializing in classical ballet tutus and period pieces, stage makeup, cosmetology, sewing everything from doll clothes to wedding dresses, photography, art, pottery, graphic design, web design, and floral arrangements. Throughout her life, she taught these skills to college students, friends, family, and ward members. She often volunteered her time and talents to those she loved especially creating fun gifts for her grandchildren, including puppet shows, fabric snowballs, wooden rocking horses, crocheted blankets, teepees, and much more.
She was a fun, boisterous, caring individual who loved working on stage productions, especially Savior of the World and the Nauvoo pageant. She was passionate about helping others, creating things with her hands, and making everyone around her feel loved and valued. Her door was always open to anyone in need, whether it was for a place to stay, a meal to eat, or a shoulder to cry on.
Susi is survived by her parents Donald and Fran Lyon; siblings Dianne Cook, David (Janenne) Lyon, Tamara (David) Harr; Corey (Rhonda) Eddy, Rick (Tracey) Eddy, Layne Eddy, Holly (Jeff) Freestone, Kristi Eddy Jellerson; ex-husband Rick David Geertsen; children Heidi (Erik) Olsen, Heather (Sean) Cardwell, Daniel Geertsen-Holland, and April (Alan) Paul; and 13 grandchildren: Torey, Austin, Dallin, and Reagan Cardwell; Victoria, Brayden, Audrey, Ellie, and Ashley Paul; and Meleik, Jayda, Mia, and Jazelle Holland. She was preceded in death by mother Shirley Bernice (Clayton) Lyon.
Viewing to be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug 10, 2016, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5823 S. 4800 W. (Cougar Lane), Kearns, UT. Funeral services will be held at the same location at 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2016, with a viewing from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Interment to follow service at Redwood Memorial Cemetery at 6500 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, UT. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Susi’s life. Condolences may be sent to loveforsusi@gmail.com or 7136 W 8050 S, West Jordan, UT 84081.
The family would like to thank the Intermountain Cancer Center staff for their dedication to Susi’s treatment and the IHC hospice staff, Anna, Kyle, and Kim, for being so patient and kind towards her and Melissa for lovingly preparing Susi’s children for her passing.