Susan J. Jeffery (nee Nelson) 56 of St. Louis, MO passed away on Friday January 19, 2018, after an extended fight with pancreatic cancer. Susan was born September 22, l961, in East St. Louis, IL. She was daughter of Kenneth and Beverly (Lydick) Nelson. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Crystal Becherer who passed away in December of 2016.
Susan spent her youth in Columbia, IL, graduated from Columbia High School and later earned an Associates degree from Belleville Area College. While attending college, she worked part time at the local feed store where she honed her public relation skills. Susan ultimately landed a job with the federal government in Housing and Urban Development. She worked there over 30 years. During this time she forged many lasting relationships and friendships. As a youngster, Susan liked animals of all kinds, she would even bring snakes home from the school bus stop. She belonged to the 4-H and had many pets including a cat, a dog, a guinea pig, a pair of geese, a rabbit and some chickens. She even bought a show goat as a gift for her mother. She had a great sense of humor and a contagious smile that would light up a room. She enjoyed outdoor adventures of all kinds, some would say it was her bucket list. She rafted white water rapids, sailed in a hot air balloon, flew in the Goodyear blimp, zip lined, kayaked in the Atlantic ocean, sky dived and experienced life every chance she had . She enjoyed traveling to new places and wanted to retire in a warm place. The St. Louis area was too cold for her she always said. She had lots of time to practice her love for making cookies and she would gladly give you the recipe if you asked her, it was on the back of the chocolate chip bag, she would always say with a smile.
She is survived by a daughter Amber (Garret) Kasper, a grandson Daltyn Smith, a grandson Oliver Kasper, her parents Kenneth and Beverly Nelson, a brother Douglas (Michele) Nelson and their children Brittany Toenjes, Katie Starr and Samantha Nelson, a brother Craig (Julie) Nelson and their children Gabriel, Sophia and Jacob Nelson.
Visitation at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Wednesday January 24, 3 p.m. until time of Service 7 p.m. with services concluding at Kutis Funeral Home.