Sylvia "Sue" Alyce Johnson, 88, Sturgis, died Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

A private family service has been held.

Interment will be at 10:00am on Friday, March 1, 2013 at the Newell Cemetery.

Sue was born April 18, 1924, in a store at Orman Dam to Joseph and Bertha Hedrick. She had two sisters and three brothers. She became a professional musician at the age of five. The whole family would load their instruments in a buckboard, including an upright piano, and go to the local dance hall to entertain. Sue played and was lead singer in bands across the country. Prior to retirement, her band was called Sue and the Western Swingsters'. She was an accomplished musician, vocalist, song writer, and yodeler.

She married Raymond Johnson on Valentine's Day in 1972. They ranched and bred performance horses for many years. In later years, Sue was an accomplished painter.

She is survived by her son, Dary (Cyndi) Davis, Terrell, TX; daughters, Cathy (Ray Haynie) Sorensen, Auburn, WA, Barbara (Richard) Chancellor, Hermosa, SD, Dusty Kirk, Sturgis, SD, Robin (Shayne) Hobbs, Cheyenne, WY, Raylene (Mike) Connelly, Sturgis, and Sherril (Malcolm) Caviness, Centerville, OH; eleven grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; three brothers, and two sisters.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Sue's name to local animal shelters.