Susan Maria Evans Ipsen

July 9, 1947 – May 14, 2026

Our beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Susan Maria Evans Ipsen, passed away in the early morning hours of May 14, 2026, at the age of 78.

Susan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Ross LeRoy Evans and Edith “Sue” Evans. She was raised alongside her older sister, Sandra Burbidge. As a young girl, Susan loved skiing at Alta with her mother and her beloved “Grandpa Gib.” She also enjoyed participating in school plays and developed a lifelong appreciation for creativity and the arts.

Susan graduated from East High School, where she met her future husband and eternal companion, Alvin Moore Ipsen. Together they enjoyed long drives to Mirror Lake and horseback riding. Susan and Alvin were married in 1965, and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they built a loving home and raised three children: Jeffrey Alvin Ipsen, Mark Rulon Ipsen, and Katherine Maria Ipsen.

Susan’s greatest joy in life was her family. She adored her three children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, and spoke of them often with deep pride and affection. She especially loved sitting in her front room surrounded by family photographs, sharing stories and updates about each member of her family with anyone who visited her home.

As a young mother, Susan operated a daycare from her home while raising her own children. Later, as her family grew older, she worked outside the home to help support them. She spent many years as a preschool teacher at Pied Piper Nursery School in Salt Lake City and worked in retail for both Beehive Clothing and Hallmark at Cottonwood Mall. Susan also worked in an administrative role for the Salt Lake City Credit Union, where her mother, Grandma “Sue,” had previously worked before retiring.

Susan had a special place in her heart for children with special needs. She earned certification through Utah State University to work with special needs children and dedicated much of her life to serving and uplifting them. Most notably, she faithfully served for 17 years as a Primary teacher in the special needs Primary program in Holladay, Utah. She also volunteered for many years in support of students at Hartvigsen School in the Granite School District.

Susan loved the outdoors and especially cherished camping trips with friends at Pineview Reservoir and family gatherings at Grandpa Gib’s property in Samak, Utah. She also fondly looked forward to family outings to the Homestead in Midway, where we enjoyed picnics and afternoons spent swimming together.

Susan was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings throughout her life. She loved singing in the ward choir and was a talented artist who often helped design and paint sets for the Grandview 2nd Ward roadshows. Susan enjoyed drawing, sewing, crafting, crocheting, and creating beautiful things for those she loved.

Susan is survived by her devoted husband, Alvin M. Ipsen; her sister, Sandra E. Burbidge (John); her children, Jeffrey A. Ipsen (Cathy), Mark R. Ipsen, and Katherine McCleery (Matt); her eight grandchildren, Taylor J. Ipsen, Nathan A. Ipsen (Natalie), Matthew C. Ipsen (Cheyenne), Zachary E. Ipsen (Eliana), Megan F. Bodnar (Noah), Erik M. McCleery (Jessica Regni), Lilly King (Warren), and Ian J. McCleery; and her three great-grandchildren, Cove Nathan Ipsen, Beau Alvin Ipsen, and Jovi Mae Ipsen.

A viewing in Susan’s honor will be held at the Grandview 2nd Ward, 2930 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and again on Tuesday morning, May 19, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary.