Susan Rebecca Kotnik

Susan Rebecca Kotnik, a loving wife, devoted mother, cherished grandmother, and accomplished artist, passed away on September 29, 2024 at home in Colorado Springs, CO. Born in Morristown, NJ, to Franklin Hyneman and Betty Jo Hyneman. Susan lived a life filled with curiosity, creativity, family and friends.

In 1970, she met her husband, Cliff Kotnik, during high school, and they married on July 14, 1973.

Together, they welcomed their daughter, Cassie, born on August 23, 1982, and later became proud grandparents to Rhyden Stiltner. She is also survived by her brother, Jamie Hyneman.

Susan's career was as diverse as her interests. Her artistic talents flourished as she worked as a graphic designer and illustrator, contributing to various projects, including writing and illustrating children’s books.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Memphis State University in 1991, where she also discovered her passion for moths and butterflies, inspired by her interactions with a group of Lepidopterologists. Her degree project, “Lunas on the Loose,” featured Cassie as a model, showcasing her love for moths and nature. Every year, she would make a Christmas card to send to family and friends that everyone would look forward to.

Throughout her life, Susan lived in many places, including Valley Forge, PA; Columbus, IN; Connersville, IN; Fort Wayne, IN; Memphis, TN; and Colorado Springs, CO. She learned to play the harp and began performing at weddings, including a stepsister’s wedding in Norway. In Colorado Springs, she fell in love with the front range of the Rockies, where her interests expanded to include mountain bluebirds, broad-tailed hummingbirds, llamas, and of course chameleons.

Her daughter, Cassie, remembers her mom raising butterflies and moths, bringing them to school, and stopping on the side of the road to collect leaves for her caterpillars. Susan had a dedicated room for her chameleons, complete with hanging plants, and her good friends would come by to care for them when the family went on vacation. She also had a cherished dog, Trye, who she cared for deeply.

As we reflect on Susan’s life and numerous professions—photo retoucher, telephone repair woman, mom, wife, graphic designer for printing, professional harp player and published book illustrator—it’s clear she followed her interests wherever they led.

We invite you to enjoy the memories we have shared, as they reflect the many facets of her remarkable life.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on November 9, 2024, at Stonehaven Event Center, 7875 Deer Hill Grove, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that tributes or donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Susan’s smile, creativity, and love of her friends and family will be deeply missed, but her memories will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.