Susan Wardle

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     Susan “Sue” Lenne Shearer Wardle, age 80, of Duchesne and Washington Fields, Utah, passed away on February 21, 2024, due to complications of cancer.

    She was born on September 3, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Edward Gordon and Dorothy Florence Kling Shearer. She was the oldest of four children and loved her siblings immensely! She grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from Granite High School in 1961 where she participated in choir. Sue enjoyed music and loved the art of dance. She began teaching dance at the young age of 12 years old in her parents’ home. She participated in many dance competitions and was also a contestant on the Eugene Jelesnik TV show which she always loved to recall. Sue loved the outdoors and when she was a young girl her family built a cabin getaway in the Soapstone area near Mirror Lake. They spent many summers enjoying life at the cabin where many treasured memories were created. While staying at the cabin,  Sue enjoyed being a member of the YMCA camp in the Soapstone area as well. Sue had a wonderful childhood and cherished all memories with her loving parents, her sister, Vonnie, and brothers, Butch and J.D.

    Sue met the love of her life William Merton “Bill” Wardle at a Johnny Cash concert and after a courtship they were married on November 23, 1962.  They began life together in Salt Lake where they worked and started their family. However, Bill’s longing for the Uintah Basin led them to purchase a lot on Tabby Mountain where they worked many weekends together to build a cabin. This cabin gave their extended Wardle family a great place to create many lasting memories over the years.

    In 1968, Bill and Sue left Salt Lake behind and moved into the Wardle family residence in Duchesne.  After much hard work, trial and tribulation, they made that house into a wonderful home where they raised their four daughters and gave them an amazing, loving childhood. Sue taught dance in that home for many, many years while Bill worked hard to establish Certified Welding.  She worked tirelessly to take care of her family and support Bill’s endeavors.

    Sue loved being involved in the Duchesne community and volunteered for many things (ALL the things!). She taught 4-H for many years, was in PTA, Mother’s Club, The Green Team… too many to name. She was also passionate about the Pope House project. She loved Duchesne and immersed herself in anything she could to improve the community… you name it, she was involved! You may also remember her as the Bookmobile lady, a job that she enjoyed to the fullest.

    Early on in her Duchesne life, Sue broke out of her “city girl” mode and got her hands dirty doing whatever was needed to accomplish a job or a goal. Sue and Bill fulfilled a dream and purchased property north of Duchesne in the early 70’s and life with “Bill’s Longhorn Ranch” began. They spent many years raising Longhorns, working on their ranch, and traveling to Longhorn shows. They loved sharing this passion with family and friends. Branding days were a production and were the best days! They enjoyed the friendships made with all those they were involved with in this capacity.

    Sue was a true friend to everyone she met! She loved meeting new people and learning their stories, connecting with them on any level she could. She filled volumes of notebooks with her notes on everyone and everything! Her memory was amazing and we’re sure this was the reason why. She could recall facts or birthdays with remarkable ease. She had an adventurous spirit and there was nothing she wouldn’t try.

    Sue loved living near Sharly and her family in Washington Fields and also being near extended family in the St. George area as well. She treasured her 15th Ward and network of sweet friends in Washington Fields. Although she was deeply saddened by Bill's passing in October of 2020, then diagnosed with cancer shortly thereafter, this final chapter was a remarkable time of life for her.  We are so grateful for the kindness shown to her by so many and for the true friendships that she so enjoyed. Sue was also blessed with an amazing array of medical professionals and hospice caregivers in St. George. In addition, her sister Vonnie, and sister-in-law Cris, took incredible care of her in her home for which we are forever grateful.    

    Sue cherished her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a strong and unwavering testimony. She had many callings throughout her life and fulfilled each one to the fullest. Her faith ran deep and she would share her love of the gospel whenever she could with anyone that would listen, and even with those who wouldn’t (wink wink!).

    Most of all, Sue loved caring for and supporting her loving husband Bill and their daughters in all of their endeavors. She sacrificed all and devoted her life to making ours the best they could possibly be! Her life was the truest example of love, kindness, compassion and service; she leaves a true legacy. And a more amazing, loving Grandma you will never find! She loved her grandchildren to the core and especially loved all visits and attending any activities they were involved in. “Grandma Sue” / “Sue-Sue”… whatever the title, she loved all of her grandkids fiercely!

    And we can’t forget - GO JAZZ!!! Bill and Sue loved to watch every Jazz game they could catch! And Mom didn’t miss a beat after Dad left… she was a diehard fan!

    Sue is survived by daughters, Nova Lee (Steve) Hanke, Smithfield, UT; Audra Jan (Michael) Pike, West Jordan, UT; Sharly Sue (Jeremy) Lefler, Washington, UT; grandchildren: Michael (Arleigh), Kyndra (Tyson), Garrett (Anna), Jordan (Lexi), Keaton, Treyden, Easton, Dax, Amanda, Tyler (Alexie), Shantel, Alyssa (Steven); great-grandchildren: Juleigh, Enzo, Petra, Mila, Will, Booker, Maylee, Kezlynn, Dayton, Axxtyn, Layla, Lillian, Trayston, Violet and Piper, and one great-grandson due soon that she was so anxious to meet; siblings: Vonnie Jo (Doug) Wildfoerster, Salt Lake City, UT;  Edward (Cris) Shearer, Kanab, UT; and J.D. Shearer, Twisp,WA; Bill’s siblings, Virginia (Jimmy) Brotherson, Boneta, UT; Rhea (Monte) Johnson, St. George, UT; Linda Powell, Kamas, UT; Trudy (Dick) Johnson, Park City, UT; Mike (Glenna) Wardle, Stansbury Park, UT; and Andy (Joni) Wardle, Sandy, UT; also survived by Mike and Marylou Turley of West Jordan, UT.  She leaves behind many nieces and nephews and loved her title of “Aunt Sue!” Last but certainly not least, her faithful companion, her dog, “Penny!”

    She was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill; daughter, Lenne Brin Wardle Turley; son, Leonard Jed Wardle; parents, Edward and Dorothy Shearer; parents-in-law Merton and Rella Wardle; and numerous other beloved family members.

    We are sure that Mom’s broken heart was finally healed the moment she painlessly ran into the arms of Bill, Brin, and Jed. All who knew Sue knew Brin’s loss especially left a gaping hole in her heart. Time may have lessened the pain, but the wound was never healed. We are grateful that she is relieved of both her physical pain and the anguished heartache and that she is with them all again. She truly fought a valiant fight and left a beautiful legacy. Her kindness and compassion was unmatched; she was deeply loved and will be forever missed. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

    Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Duchesne Stake Center (901 North 500 East, Duchesne, Utah).  A viewing will be held prior to the service starting from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

     Burial will be in the Duchesne City Cemetery.