Susan Anne DeCloedt (Rudolph) passed away on November 3, 2018. Susan loved life. She was a force of nature, an inspirational teacher, a passionate outdoors person and a model of strength. Born in Marietta, Ohio to Esther and Bob Rudolph, horses were a central part of her joy from an early age. It all started with her first horse Sugar Babe and soon there was a barn full that, as she tells it, tempted her away from elementary school during lunches, sneaking away through the culverts to share time with her ponies. The adventurous spirit never left her. From hitchhiking across country to traveling the world, she was not one to stay still.

After teaching industrial arts for 10 years in Merrimack, NH, Susan finished her career teaching reading at Milford NH Middle School. Over the years she enabled over 400 middle school students to go from being non-readers to excited proficient readers, most of who were able to go on college. Susan retired to Durango, Colorado with her husband John to be near her brother Vic and fantastic horseback riding and hiking in the mountains.

Despite a cancer diagnosis ten years ago, she did not go quietly. Instead she filled every possible moment until the weeks before her death horseback riding up in the mountains with her husband John. She spent the last 6 years making as many memories as possible for her granddaughter Pfeiffer who will never forget the horseback rides, swimming with manatees, and special snuggle mornings with her Oma.

Missing her dearly are her husband John Redemske, daughter and son in law Emily and Clint Francis, her granddaughter Pfeiffer Francis who loves her Omi, step daughter Julia Redemske, her siblings Dave Rudolph & wife Camille, Vic Rudolph & wife Karen and Lynn (Rudolph) Jones & husband George, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends; her horses Thunder and Val and her loyal dog Rio. She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Rudolph and her parents Bob and Esther Rudolph. A memorial will be held next June in Durango, Colorado. Memorial donations can be made to Durango Trails 2000 or to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango.