Susan M. Shapek

Susan Mary Shapek of Bellvue, Colorado, passed away in her beautiful mountain home on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Susan was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 29, 1963 to Fred and Shirley Kubes. As a young child, her family moved around the country, where she was able to see many wondrous parts of the west. In 1972, the Kubes family planted their roots and settled on a beautiful spread of 40 acres, where they built a log home in the Ninemile Valley (Huson, Montana). It was there that they raised cattle, horses, pigs, rabbits and put up hay. Susan would later say that growing up out there made her a strong and determined woman, which she was!

As a young girl, Susan developed a true passion for horses! She loved to ride around their place and up to Kreis Pond, where she enjoyed swimming with her horse. Loving the thrill and the wind in her hair, she turned her passion into a sport, competing in local O-Mok-See/gymkhana competitions with her beloved bay horse Slipper. When she pulled up with her horse trailer, the competitors knew the competition had officially arrived and she had boxes of ribbons to show for it.

Susan went on to nursing school, attending Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and finished her degree at Dominican University of California- located in San Rafael. Upon graduation, she took her first nursing (RN) position at Children's Hospital, where she worked in the NICU/PICU (Neonatal/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). In her 30+ years as a Registered Nurse, she wore many hats; Labor & Delivery Nurse, Nurse Manager, House Supervisor, and even worked at the Denver County Jail. Susan was a very bright woman and a true leader, with the ability to think on her feet- she was admired by many in her profession.

She had an adventurous spirit and a zest for life, which led her to have a wide variety of hobbies over her lifetime; gymkhana, sky diving, scuba diving, ballroom dancing, downhill skiing, golfing, dirt bike riding at the track, rollercoaster enthusiast and world-traveler to name a few. As a person with a true passion for cooking and entertaining throughout her life, she especially loved Christmas and everything it encompassed. She looked forward to the big, beautiful tree with all of the special ornaments that were collected through the years-she was very sentimental. On Christmas Eve, she always set out relish trays containing olives, pickles, brie cheese and crackers, along with mugs of mulled cider, festive cocktails and Christmas cookies for all to enjoy. Both the Roger Whittaker and Manheim Steamroller Christmas Albums would be playing on repeat and she believed Jingle Bells should be a song sung year-round- which she did!

Susan had a generous heart, a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

"Go rest high on that mountain
Your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a-shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son" -Vince Gill

Susan is survived by her husband, Tony Shapek, daughters Misty Davis, Micayla Cryer, her son James Cryer; granddaughter Sidney Davis; mother Shirley Magstadt; sisters Dawn Corey (Clark), Terry Wylie (Roger) and Jackie Murphy (Doug).

She was preceded in death by son Andrew Cryer, father Fred Kubes and stepfather Robert Magstadt.