Susan Mary Cheshier, age 75, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.  Susan was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister and patriotic American.  She was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 22, 1950, and grew up in Gary, Indiana, graduating high school in 1968.  Susan then ventured out west to attend the University of Wyoming from 1968 to 1972, obtaining her nursing degree and becoming a registered nurse.  During her time in Wyoming, she met her husband of 53 years, Ronald Cheshier and they were married on July 1, 1972, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.  Later that year, Susan began working as a registered nurse at John Burns Memorial Hospital in Belle Fourche, SD.  On March 25, 1974, Susan gave birth to her first child, Michael, and shortly after, the new family packed up and moved to Florence, Wisconsin.  Susan worked at the VA hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan, from 1974 to 1980, during which she gave birth to her second son, David, on October 22, 1977.  In 1980, adventure came calling and Susan joined the United States Air Force, moving with her family to her first duty station, Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota.  After three years in Minot, Susan was assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, SD, at which time the family settled down on a small ranch located in Newell, SD, where they would remain for many years.  After her service at Ellsworth Air Force Base came to a close, Susan joined the South Dakota Army National Guard, where she continued to excel, eventually becoming the Head Nurse of South Dakota and ultimately retiring in 2012 at the rank of full colonel.  During her time in the National Guard, Susan also continued a successful civilian nursing career with most of it spent at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis, SD.

Susan is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ronald Cheshier; her children, Michael Cheshier and his wife Lisa Cheshier of Lead, South Dakota, and David Cheshier of Bel Air, Maryland; grandson, Tyler Cheshier of Bel Air, Maryland; her two brothers, Brian Burke and his family of Anchorage, Alaska and Kenneth Burke of Chicago, Illinois, and many dear extended family members.

The Cheshier family would like to express a sincere thank you to the caregivers at the Spearfish Canyon Healthcare Skilled Nursing Facility for their exceptional care of Susan.

The Cheshier family would also like to express their loving memory of Susan's daughter-in-law, Francesca Miglietta-Cheshier, the late wife of David Cheshier and mother of Tyler Cheshier.  May she continue to rest in peace.

Susan will be put to rest at the Black Hills National Cemetery in the summer of 2026.