Darlene Sue Kirkpatrick

Darlene “Susie” Sue Kirkpatrick, 83, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away on November 17, 2025. She was born on October 21, 1942, in Belleville, Illinois, to Willetta Hallam and Clinton James Funkhauser.

Susie lived a full and hardworking life. A lifelong civil service employee of the United States Air Force, she dedicated her career to the Manpower office, where she was known for commitment to those she served. Through her 42 years of civilian service, Susie made many cherished friendships that lasted long after her retirement.

She met the love of her life, Alex T. Kirkpatrick, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They married in 1984 and built a life together in Wyoming, where they raised Appaloosa horses on their ranch, SZQ Acres. Their partnership was marked by a shared love of dancing and the land and animals they tended. Alex preceded her in death on December 23, 2022.

Susie had a lively sense of humor, a love of murder mysteries, and a special talent for baking; gifts she shared freely with family and friends. She was known for her quick wit, and the ability to find joy in everyday moments. 

Family and close friends were extremely important to Susie and she remained close to her beloved cousins and extended family through her entire life. Researching, and compiling her family tree and genealogy was something that Susie both enjoyed and was proud of.  She could also boast that she and her elementary school best friend, Marilyn, maintained a close friendship lasting over 75 years.

Though she never had children of her own, Susie was a loving mother through marriage to Terri (Tom) Tidwell of Waldron, Arkansas, and Jerri Johnson of Henderson, Texas. She was also a proud grandmother through marriage to Jacob (Jonathan) Tramp-Johnson of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Leanne Johnson of Austin, Texas.

Susie is survived by her sisters, Mary Marlow of Prescott, Arizona, and Barbara Taylor of Torrington, Wyoming; her nieces, Trinity (Will) Barnes of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Shealyn Barnes of Reno, Nevada; her nephews, Zollie Rayner of Avondale, Arizona and Joshua Randall of Sioux Falls, SD; and her self-adopted family, Areena, Joie, and Lexi Simonetti of Cheyenne, Wyoming, who cared for her and were with her in her final days. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

A service to honor and celebrate Susie’s life will be held at Schrader, Aragon & Jacoby Funeral Home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on December 10, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.