Obituary of SUZANNE TROTTER
Mary Suzanne Trotter of Ordway, Colorado entered into rest April 29, 2025, at the Crowley County Nursing Center in Ordway Colorado. She was born November 11, 1931, in Corning, Missouri to Herschel Herman and Edna Margaret (Horn) Raiser. She married Virgil Leigh Trotter August 7, 1955, at Craig, MO Church of the Nazarene.
Suzanne grew up in Northwest Missouri and attended schools in Oregon, Pickering, Corning and Rockport. She graduated from Bethany Nazarene College, Bethany, OK in 1954 and earned her M.A. degree in teaching and foreign languages from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley in 1986. Study-trips included Spain, Europe and Mexico with University of Northern Colorado, Metro-State College of Denver and Western State College, Gunnison.
Teaching positions included all subjects in grades 1-4 at Irish Grove, a rural school near Fairfax, MO; Spanish and English at La Junta High School, 1954- ’55; high school Spanish, German, and English at Crowley County, Ordway, CO 1974 – 1993. The last three years at Crowley County Suzanne also taught junior high English and Spanish. She taught night classes in Spanish for Otero Junior College, one year of which was at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility at Crowley, CO. She initiated and taught summer classes in Spanish for children in La Junta for Otero Junior College. Substitute teaching and Gifted/Talented 2nd and 3rd grade Spanish Swink, CO.
While teaching Suzanne co-sponsored high school, organized various cultural activities involving community people, arranged student trips to Bent’s Fort, and assisted two student trips to Europe and a student scholarship for a year’s homestay in Germany.
When as a fifth grader, Mrs. Trotter accepted Christ as Savior in a revival in a small Methodist Church in Missouri. She joined the Church of the Nazarene as a teenager in Craig, MO and was a charter member of that church. She was involved with church activities, working with groups of all ages. Over the years Suzanne has been a Sunday School teacher and superintendent, director of Vacation Bible School and youth group, organized and directed programs and played the piano. She held places of leadership in the missionary society at the local, zone and district levels.
Mrs. Trotter had many interests especially in other languages, cultures and food. She enjoyed painting with watercolors and oils. She also enjoyed adult coloring.
Suzanne is survived by: one daughter, Diane (Michael) Chapman of Clovis, NM; one son Sam (Jenise) Trotter of Swink, CO; two grandsons Joseph Leigh (Bekah) Chapman of Madison, WI, Jonathan Marc (Shilo) Chapman of Clovis, NM; three granddaughters Amie Sue (Michael) Hoggard, Peyton, CO; Sammie Jo (Eduardo Nery) Trotter of Colorado Springs, CO , and Leslie Ann (Jerid) Bruna of Cheraw, CO; eleven great grandchildren Daniel Leigh Hoggard, Cole McCall Essex, Jonathan Gregory Chapman, Grace Ann Hoggard, Alexander David Chapman, Ethan Archer Essex, Dexter Leopold Chapman, Colbie Heath Bruna Jamilyn Chapman, Samuel Jay Hoggard, Michael David Hoggard, Shaelynn Kathleen Bruna, and Robert Edward George VII.
Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents, husband, twin sister, and three nephews.
Memorials may be made to the World Mission Broadcast, Church of the Nazarene, La Junta, Colorado.
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Mary Suzanne Trotter, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Service
5
May
1111 West 10th Street
La Junta, , CO 81050
A Viewing will be held at 10:00 A.M. followed by an 11:00 A.M Funeral Service. A committal will take place following the services and will be held at Fairview Cemetery. The Services will be Live Streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@lajuntanazarene4412
Cemetery Details
Location
402 Potter Drive
La Junta, CO 81050
