Sue Ann Richardson Skeen

Sue Ann Richardson Skeen, 63, of Malad, Idaho, passed away on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, from complications following a recent knee surgery. Sue moved to Malad in the summer of 1986 with her three daughters after accepting a position as an English teacher at Malad High School, where she spent the next 25 years working to further the knowledge and future of her students. She was affectionately referred to as “Ma Skeen” by her students after a fellow teacher gave her the nickname. This name foreshadowed the relationships she would have with her students. Over the years she gained a reputation of being a fair, but tough teacher, and worked to help them succeed while holding them to the standards and objectives that she set. In addition to teaching classes, she was also involved with other activities including directing plays, class advisor, speech coach, and much more. For the last several years, she took money for tickets at the High School sporting events where she enjoyed the opportunity to meet and interact with students and the people in the community while she cheered on the Dragons.
Sue was born in Lansing, Michigan, to Clarence and Gladys Richardson on December 30, 1948. The middle child, she had an older brother Paul and younger sister Cheri. Her father was a craftsman and Sue followed him around faithfully. She loved to spend time with him which built a strong bond between them that lasted the rest of their lives. As part of her Michigan heritage, she was raised to be an avid University of Michigan fan and anyone that knows her will attest to her absolute love of Michigan football. She spent her freshman year in college studying at the U of M, during which time she was able to attend several games and spent time studying on the grass of the football field in the ‘Big House.’ It was during this year that she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to be closer to the Church. Her job at the LDS Genealogy Library would serve as the catalyst to one of her life’s passions, genealogy.
While in Salt Lake, one of her roommates introduced Sue to her future husband Bruce Skeen. After marrying, they moved to Logan, Utah, and attended Utah State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. While in Logan their first daughter, Sarah was born. Once Sue and Bruce both graduated they moved to Salt Lake for a few years while Bruce finished his Masters Degree. Their second daughter, Rebecah, was born during this time. Later on they moved to Hot Springs, South Dakota, where they lived for 13 years and where their third daughter, Amanda, was born. During this time, Sue accepted her first teaching position as a high school English teacher in Oelrichs, South Dakota. After her divorce, Sue moved with her daughters to Malad, Idaho.
Sue was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she held many different callings, many of which involved teaching. She cherished spending time with her family and had many different hobbies that included reading, playing games and puzzles of all sorts, genealogy, and cheering on her favorite teams – both Wolverines and Dragons. Sue was blessed with the opportunity to spend her life working in a profession that she loved – education. She loved the thrill of teaching and watching her students learn and grow, even after graduation. Sue will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Sue is survived by her daughters Sarah, Rebecah “Becky”, and Amanda Skeen; brother Paul Richardson; nephews Mark and Craig Richardson; niece Shannon Fawcetts, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Gladys Richardson, her sister Cheri Thomas and niece Tina Farley.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Oneida County Education Foundation (http://www.maladidaho.org/oef/index.html, Email: rokent@atcnet.net, address: Oneida Education Fund, 250 W. 400 N., Malad, ID 83252). The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to all those who have provided assistance at this difficult time.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 12:00 noon in the Malad LDS 3rd Ward Chapel, 200 W. 400 N. Friends may visit with the Skeen family on Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N, and again from 10:30-11:30a.m. at the funeral home on Thursday prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Logan City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Horsley Funeral Home (766-4330