Our dear sweet mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend passed away peacefully in her home in Cottonwood Heights, UT on Sunday, February 7th, 2021.
Susan was born September 24th, 1943 in Ogden, UT to Elaine Koster and Louis Clinton Kjar. She was the oldest of three children and raised in Midvale, UT. She married Jay Douglas Whiting on March 14th, 1964. They had two children and resided in Cottonwood Heights, UT. They later divorced and she married Harry A. Thomas Jr. on March 13th, 1976. They had two more children and later divorced. Susan loved her family and getting together. You always knew you were loved and belonged. She continued to be close with all those she welcomed into her family over the years.
Susan participated in many clubs and activities throughout her life: 4-H club, girl scouts, dance, where she excelled in ballet, and the piano which she continued to share and enjoy throughout her life. She graduated from Jordan High School in 1961 where she was an active member of her high school community, dance club, and continued to participate in preparing and planning reunions throughout the years. She was loved and adored by her classmates. She continued her education at the University of Utah in dance and loved her time there living with her aunt Marge while they attended school together.
Susan spent much of her working career in the dental field and teaching young children. She was a welcoming face in the dental office often helping people feel happy to be coming to the dentist. She worked as an office manager for many years for her late brother in law Floyd R. Tanner and later for Precision Dental Care for Dr. Richard D. Fisher in Holladay, UT.
She taught and directed two daycare centers Brighton View Children’s Center and set up a private Daycare Center for Rhodes Bread employees. She provided a vibrant and enriching curriculum to delight any child. She incorporated her musical abilities in planning and directing programs for the children. She also taught at Carden Memorial School in Kindergarten and was loved and cherished by the children and their families.
Susan’s greatest accomplishment was that of her children and grandchildren. Anything they accomplished in life was seen as grandiose and often retold to others with embellished details. She made it a point to be at every sporting event, recital, school program, graduation, marriage, birth, and any major/minor life event where she could cheer you on. She was our biggest cheerleader, loved you unconditionally, and was always ready to feed you.
Susan was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she served in many capacities and brought love and comfort to others through her service and musical talents.
Susan’s love and light will continue to shine on in all of us. We are all better people by knowing and sharing our lives with her. She showed her love through her little notes, treats, and warm hugs. She loved music, dance, theater, and sports. She spent many years cheering from the sidelines of the Jazz games with her mother and delighted in watching and cheering loudly at home. She listened and made you feel like you were the most special person on earth. She was a true friend and had many wonderful friends over the years that will always be very special to her and our family. The world was definitely a brighter one with her in it. We will all miss her and her cute mannerisms, funny sayings, dancing, celebrating, cheering, always smiling and finding the good wherever she went. Let us all continue her legacy of love, joy, kindness, and celebration. We love you dear sweet Susie, Sue-Sue, Mom, Grandma, and Mama Bear.
We would like to thank the staff at Carrington Court Assisted Living for the kindness, care, and compassion, they showed our Mom over the last year, and in her last few days. She truly enjoyed her time there with all the social activities, sit and be fit, memory games, pajama parties, ice cream socials, and bus rides all over the valley to see the beautiful state in which we live.
Susan is survived by her three children & her grandchildren, Jay D. (Tracy) Whiting Jr. and their children, Parker (Alivia), Bailey (John) Gehrke, Hannah, Jackson, Maddy & Mitchell Jones, Eric J. (Vickie) Whiting, Rebecca M. Thomas Roper (Artem Kakadiy) and her children Rachael, Naomi, Jacob, Andrew & Eden, Pamela K. Thomas (Richard Todd) and daughter Audrey, Rodney (Jeanette) Thomas and son Trent, Harry A. (Rhonda)Thomas III and children, Crissy (Lee), Jenny (Mike), Cherise (Kevin), Justin (Ashley), & Damien.
Her Brother Jeff (Kathryn) Kjar, Sister JoAnn Tanner, all her nieces and nephews who loved her, and many treasured family & friends.
Proceeded in death by her parents Louis Kjar and Elaine Kjar Tanner, son Anthony Lewis Thomas, Brother-in-law Floyd Tanner, aunts, uncles, & dear friends.
A private family funeral service will be held on Friday, February 12th, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S. Sandy, UT. Family and Friends can share in Susan’s life at a viewing from 12:00-1:45 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens prior to the funeral services. The services will be live-streamed via Zoom using the attached link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83466297727?pwd=UUdFRk9kSjFLZmtkWGJkVXFOZStLUT09
Susan was the most loving women. My heart goes out to the kids and their families. She will be solely missed.
Dear Susan
Thank goodness for the memories, I have so many wonderful memories of our
Pinochle Club, Birthday Club, Hales Theater, our dinners out, and just being together.
I am going to miss you so very, very much.
I love you so very much and all of our good times together. I am so thankful for your wonderful family that has taken such good care of you.
Love and miss you,
Dottie
I love Susan and have since she was one of my most loved YW leaders. She has been a strength for many years. I was so grateful for her love and compassion towards my Dad before he passed.
Our hearts and prayers are with you all!! Remember the ANGELS are watching. She is still cheering you all on and is not far.💕💕
Love you ALL,
The Folkersen Clan
Just watched the video and had a wave of fond wonderful memories. Thank you to the kids for putting it together. Susan improved my life as she welcomed me to work each day and took great interest in each and every patient. What a wonderful example of love and influence for good in our world! We love you Susan, and look forward to seeing you again.
Susan and I met during her courtship with my elder brother, Jay in 1964. I was 12, she was 21. She made a most lovely bride and I was so proud of her as my new sister-in-law. She also played a key role in my life, after both of my parents passed away, as I was a member of my childhood home and her household in Cottonwood Heights from 1968 to 1974 when I returned from my mission. She was a dear friend, sister, and mother. She always listened to me and gave stern advice and loving encouragement. My heart is broken with her passing. She is an Angel. I send my love and condolences to her family, especially to my two nephews, Jay and Eric. She was so proud of these fine young men.
What a beautiful lady, outside and inside. How Susan was loved by all who associated with her. She had a warmth and a smile that attracted even strangers, and her hugs for those she knew were like a ray of sunshine.
Susan loved her family and was always happiest when she was with them.
Susan always had kind things to say of others. I will miss her smiles, her hugs, her friendship. I am grateful for the many, many years, the trips, the parties and just time spent together.
She was a Grandma her Grandchildren will never forget, and will have memories and memories that will last forever. And her dear Becca who cared for her and watched over her for so many years.
Love that lady, she was regal. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I will see her again and I will get more hugs from her and more time spent with her.
Love
Donna Archbold
I love Susan. We were good friends in high school and lost touch for many years. Then we found ourselves planning reunions together. In recent years we've had get togethers with others from school, and she would come to many of them. I heard recently that she wasn't doing well, and I kept meaning to call her, but alas, didn't do it. An opportunity missed. Before I married my husband Dave Ehlers, he was seeing Susan quite often. He had kept in touch with her over the years in that he was good friends with Jay. They had a special friendship. When she worked for Dr. Fisher, he started going to him, and we still do. Even though we haven't been in touch constantly, She was an important part of both of our lives. She is truly an elegant lady and will be missed.
My heart is saddened by the loss Of Susan but I know we have a angel watching over us.
We have been friends for over 50 years. Always felt so loved by her! I was so glad that the friendship continued after we moved from Cottonwood heights. We have many fun wonderful memories that I will always cherish. Love you so much my friend!
So sorry to hear about Susan's passing. What a kind soul. I have fond memories of her babysitting and taking care of me. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the services due to coronivirus concerns. Thoughts and prayers and love to all of you.
Greg
I'll really miss you Suzie, the world's a little dimmer now. Love you, Rod.
Our deepest condolences to all the family of of Susan Thomas. She was a wonderful caring woman.
Dearest Susie, you were my second Mom. I am so blessed to have had you in my life. We just finished watching your service and I’ll have to say that the thing Jackson said, ".....it was not unusual for Grandma Susan to wake up with a child in her bed..." was my favorite comment. What better place for a child to go when they were scared, lonely, or maybe just wanting to feel your warmth and hear a story. You were wonderful with everyone, but especially with children: warm, kind, and never condescending. You always made learning fun for them. I will always remember you getting Audrey to eat when she was little with that silly, battery operated dancing flower!! Some wise person once said, "People won’t remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel." You made me feel cherished and loved and I will carry that with me always. XOXO Pamela