Susan Ester Kitchen, 67

Susan passed away on Jan. 28, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family.

Susan was born Jan. 9, 1953, to Harold and Hazel Clarke. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith and confirmed. She was an active member and firm believer in the Lord all her life. Susan was the youngest of five siblings and grew up on the family farm in the East Valley area. She attended Deer Park School. As a child she enjoyed working and playing with the family. Horseback riding with her sister and fishing with her father were fond memories she often shared. She was the baby of the family and always seemed to have a special connection with her mother, Hazel. She attended Flathead High School and the University of Montana, obtaining her degree in education.

Susan married Jesse Kitchen, on April 7, 1973. Together they logged and milled the timber from their own property to build their forever home near Columbia Falls. Jesse and Susan enjoyed the early years by motorcycle trips and horseback riding in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Two children were born, Laurie and Jess “Albert.” As a family they enjoyed many years of farming, raising cattle, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and trapping together. Susan loved the country life, but most of all she loved her family. Family gatherings were always her favorite. She will be remembered for her loving nature, positive attitude and depth of caring for her family and friends. Susan always made sure everything and everyone was taken care of even to the end. The love for her husband, children and grandchildren was beyond measure. She was also an animal lover. She had many favorites throughout her life — her childhood horse Princess, the cow George, her palomino horses Spook and Goldie and her border collies Princess and Red.

Susan followed her passion for helping others. She substitute taught at many of the rural country schools while her children were young. She then taught full time at Deer Park for many years until she retired to again spend more time with her family. She enjoyed teaching her students and they benefited from her passion for learning. Students in her class always knew there would be field trips, hands-on learning, “hooked on fishing” days, train trips to East Glacier and an endless supply of hugs. She always had a special place for each and every student in her heart.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Phil Clarke.

She is survived by her husband Jesse, daughter Laurie and husband Mark, son Jess “Albert” and Wendy, grandchildren Jess “Wyatt” and Hudson and the grandchildren’s mother Kali, brothers Harold Clarke and wife Pam, Erine Clarke and wife Reva, and sister Mary Ann and husband Greg Lidstrom, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Susan will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery on Monday Feb. 3, at noon.

A celebration of her life will be Monday, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. at The Church at Creston, MT Highway. 35, Kalispell. A potluck will follow for family and friends to share Susan’s love of gatherings.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Susan’s family.