Susan Herrick

Susan Jane Herrick was born June 8, 1945, in Jefferson to Lester and Ruth (Barrett) Shadle.  She passed away Jan. 12 in Jefferson.

Susan grew up in Jefferson and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1963. On June 7, 1964, she was united in marriage to Gerold “Jerry” Herrick at Central Christian Church in Jefferson. To this union were born four sons.

With three young sons still at home, she enrolled in college and became a registered nurse. Eventually, she earned her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of St. Francis and her master of science in nursing from the University of Arkansas. In both institutions she earned a 4.0 GPA.  

Throughout her nursing career, she worked at various facilities and in numerous specialties in central Iowa and in northwestern Arkansas. Susan became certified in both geriatric and oncological nursing, earning her “RNC” in both fields.  She was absolutely committed to patient rights and patient advocacy as well as preceptoring those new to the nursing profession.

Until recent years, Susan was active in several community organizations. She served as Worthy Matron in Zephyr Chapter 454 Order of the Eastern Star in Grand Junction. She was active in the Compassionate Friends bereavement organization, as well as being a past member of MENSA. In the 1970s, Susan participated in the East Greene School District PTA and served as den mother for Grand Junction’s Boy Scout pack.  

Her love of reading was voracious and was only rivaled by her love for animals, most especially dogs, particularly her yellow Labrador retrievers, Connor and Samuel.

For years, Susan was a passionate supporter of progressive politics within the Democratic Party and served in various leadership roles in The League of Women Voters. She was never afraid to speak up for those who, in her words, “couldn’t speak up for themselves.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Ruth; brother Max; sister Doris Shadle; and son Kevan Chad Herrick.

Those left to mourn her passing are her sons, Gerold “J.R.” Herrick and his wife Mary, of Pringle, S.D.; Michael “Mike” Herrick, of Afton; and Theodore “Ted” Herrick, of Jefferson; granddaughter Linda Oliver and her husband, Justin, of Parker, Ariz.; grandson Gerold Herrick III, of Bozeman, Mont.; great-grandchildren Jacob and Morgen, both of Parker, Ariz.; nephew Max L.B. Shadle, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and other relatives and many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers, Susan would have loved for everyone to donate to their favorite animal rights organization or no-kill pet shelter and/or PAWS locally.

No services are planned at this time.