Susan Vastine

Susan Lee (Moore) Vastine, 81, a longtime resident of Dawes County, passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on November 4th, 2024.

Susan was the oldest of four children born to Gordon and Frances Moore in Crawford, Nebraska. After graduating from Crawford High at the age of 17, she enrolled in Santa Ana Junior College in California, living there with her beloved Aunt Barbara. She went on to graduate from the University of Redlands with a teaching endorsement in English and History, later completing her master’s degree. It was here that she met a handsome motorcycle cop from Cincinnati, Ohio. She and Ted were married on April 3, 1965 and Susan gained a son, Kirk. They later welcomed two additional children – Coral and David.

Susan taught at Cope Junior High in Redlands during their first years of marriage. In 1975 Susan and Ted decided to relocate to Nebraska and Ted joined the Chadron Police Department. Susan was the proprietor of the Daylight Donut Shop and became proficient at making delicious fried pastries. Sleep deprivation prompted her to move on to managing a Western Auto store, and eventually the Movie Magic video store. In 1990 she joined the adjunct faculty at Chadron State College before becoming an English teacher at Chadron High School, where she worked for 19 years before retiring in 2010. Teaching was her real love and passion, and she was known to be a tough but fair instructor. For several years she wrote a weekly column for the Chadron Record entitled “P.S. by Susan Vastine” offering her witty thoughts and perspective on numerous topics.

Susan was a member of the local garden club, a board member at the Chadron Public Library, and a member of P.E.O. She had endless interests and was typically in the middle of reading several books, attempting to hit her goal of finishing 100 books a year. She also enjoyed spending long days in her garden and discovering new recipes for her family to try. She was a lover of all creatures great and small, but especially adored her cats. In her final days, she lamented the books she had yet to read, the recipes she still wanted to try, and what was in the fridge for Ted to eat.

Susan leaves behind her loving and devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Ted, and their children, Coral Vastine (Shane Shepherd) of Chadron, David Vastine of Boulder, CO, Kirk (Marie) Vastine of Apple Valley, CA, grandchildren, Vaughn Dickau, Marin Dickau, Andrew Vastine, her sisters Nancy Fisher of Crawford and Jenny Hughson of Mitchell, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Frances Moore, and her brother, David Moore.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, November 20th at 2:00 pm at the First Congregational Church in Chadron, followed by a reception for friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a scholarship in Susan’s memory at Chadron State College for the benefit of a student majoring in Education. Checks can be made to the Chadron State College Foundation, PO Box 1210, Chadron, NE 69337. Please indicate the donation is for the benefit of the “Susan Moore Vastine Scholarship”. 

Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.