Susan Seedle Branch, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, teacher and friend, died peacefully on May 28 in Fort Collins. She was 87.
Sue was a graduate of Longmont High School and the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a longtime resident of Golden, Colo. She is survived by Bob Branch, her husband of 65 years and her primary caretaker to the end; her children, Betsy Branch Edwards, Katie Branch Zwetzig (Randy), John Branch (Catherine); nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
She was born on June 20, 1936, in Arkansas City, Kan., to Clyde and Evelyn Seedle. Her younger brother, Clyde Donald (Don) Seedle died in 2022.
The Seedle family settled in Longmont in 1945 and lived in a two-story house on Sunset Street, overlooking Sunset Golf Course. In fifth grade, Sue met a tall, thin boy named Bob Branch. The two dated at Longmont High and attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, where Sue was president of Delta Delta Delta sorority and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the honor society. She graduated in 1958 with a degree in English Literature.
Sue Seedle and Bob Branch married on Aug. 10, 1958, in Longmont.
Sue became a middle-school teacher in Denver, but put her career on hold as she and Bob had children and moved around the country before settling in Golden in 1973.
Sue returned to teaching, working steadily as a substitute, mostly at her beloved Golden High School.
She filled her calendar with travel and social activities, including painting and playing cards, and was a longtime member of P.E.O., the women's philanthropy. She and Bob were members of Faith Lutheran Church and, later, Glory of God Lutheran in Wheat Ridge, and were active in Directors Club and alumni groups at the University of Colorado.
The couple moved to Fort Collins in 2015.
Sue loved the color blue, a Coors Light at 5 p.m. and a well-timed pun. She was light as a feather and sharp as a tack. She believed in good bargains, conversations at the kitchen table and hand-written thank-you notes. She loved Patty melts, cinnamon bears and a hearty casserole.
She was never difficult.
She was always hesitant to leave a party.
A graveside service for immediate family will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont.
Donations should be made to Dementia Together in Fort Collins. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralcha pel.com to share condolences.