Susan “Sue” Benac Stevens January 11, 1955 - March 15, 2023

Susan Benac Stevens of Spanish Fork, Utah, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and daughter, died Wednesday, March 15, 2023, after an unexpected medical event while visiting family in Plano, Texas.

Sue was born January 11, 1955, in Elmhurst, Illinois, the fourth of six children born to William and Helen Wilson Benac; and sister to Bill, Liz, Ellen, Nancy, and Angela. She spent her childhood years in Lombard, Illinois, where she loved to read, swim, and ride her bike with friends and family. After high school, she attended Brigham Young University where she met the love of her life, Jess Stevens.

In 1974, Sue was married and sealed in the Manti Temple to Jessie Lamar Stevens. Sue and Jess were blessed with five children: Emily, Katie, Spencer, Russell, and Caleb; and fourteen grandchildren: Aly, Ashley, Bracken, Dane, Cole, Tessa, Brandt, Tatum, Sadie, Hope, Lainey, Evelyn, Emma, and Courtney. Sue and Jess were best friends, and eternal companions. They loved to have adventures with their young family and spent many days outdoors camping, fishing, boating, traveling and enjoying each other’s company.

Even though Sue’s college education was put on hold while she and Jess began and raised their family, she returned to Brigham Young University (BYU) in midlife after her children were raised.  She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and went to work as a teacher, first in the Jordan School District and later the Alpine School District.  She finished her teaching career at Cascade Elementary, where she was a part of the 1^st grade Chinese Immersion Program. Her favorite thing about being a teacher was helping children learn to read. She obtained an English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement and a Reading Endorsement and used those skills and her compassionate heart to serve her students.

She always loved reading and gardening, as well as being outdoors in the sunshine and camping. Her family was the most important aspect of her life. She spent many hours with her family, having fun, reading, learning, traveling, camping, and counseling. Sue was always up for an adventure, and she wasn’t afraid to take trips on her own after she lost Jess. She loved her grandkids so much! She loved to attend their concerts, plays, games and activities. Her children and grandchildren brought her such joy and comfort.

With the purpose of being more effective as a volunteer both in the food pantry and as a volunteer ESL teacher, she decided to study Spanish in her retirement. At the time of her death, Sue had a three-year streak of perfect attendance on the Duo-lingo app! She was actively seeking opportunities to continue serving, at Church, in her neighborhood, and with her family.

Sue is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully, tirelessly, and cheerfully in various callings, her most recent being as a Sunday School teacher for the 13-year-olds.

Sue is survived by her children: Emily (Mike) Anderson, Katie (Brian) Peterson, Spencer (Stacie) Stevens, Russell Stevens and Caleb Stevens. She leaves behind 12 beloved grandchildren and joins two who greeted her in Heaven. She is also survived by her siblings: Bill (Barbara) Benac, Liz (Earl) Ashhurst, Ellen (Frank) Sorenson, and Nancy (Chris) Witkowski. She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Jess; her sister, Angela; and two grandchildren, Tatum Peterson and Lainey Stevens.  We are confident she was welcomed into Heaven by a host of loved ones.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Maple Highlands Chapel, 352 South 2550 East in Spanish Fork, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation Friday, March 24, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. also at the church. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

Funeral Service will be broadcasted. Please click on the link below a few minutes prior to service beginning at 11:00 a.m. to view broadcast.

Susan Stevens LIVESTREAM LINK