Susan Ranney Eikenbary
Susan Ranney Eikenbary, age 79, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Susan's journey through life was marked by her love for family, her unquenchable curiosity, and her generous heart.
Born on October 3, 1944, in Spokane, Washington, Susan's formative years wove through the mining towns of the western United States and Mexico, planting the seeds of adventure that would bloom throughout her life. It was in Grand Junction, Colorado, that she met the love of her life, Brett Eikenbary. They were married on March 29, 1965, and established roots in Boulder, Colorado.
Susan's keen intellect found expression in her early work at "Ma" Bell before she moved on to soldering circuit boards before the dawn of silicon chips. Her love of space brought her to JILA (University of Colorado) where she was part of a pioneering landscape of science and innovation.
The summer of 1977 saw Susan and Brett, with their daughters in tow, throw caution to the wind and move to Saudi Arabia. During Brett's tenure with ARAMCO, the family immersed themselves not only in the cultures of the Middle East and Europe, but the travel opportunities. One trip involved driving from Saudi Arabia to The Netherlands (a route that went through Jordan and Syria, required catching a ferry across the Mediterranean to Greece, then continuing through Yugoslavia, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany). Susan's love of elephants even took the family on a safari in Kenya. An anchor to these exotic explorations was the annual trip to Colorado each summer, much to the delight of their family and close friends,
A former Brownie and Girl Scout, Susan carried the torch of scouting from her childhood into motherhood, nurturing her daughters' troop in Saudi Arabia with the same commitment to community and growth.
Returning to Boulder in 1986, Susan's creative vision manifested in the design of her dream home in Longmont, realized in 1997.
An avid reader, Susan was never without two or three books at her side, especially mysteries and science fiction. This love of books led Susan to her final career at the CU Bookstore where she worked for many years helping the professors acquire textbooks necessary for their teaching.
Beyond her accomplishments, Susan will be remembered for her generosity and loving spirit. Her mischievous smile and sardonic wit brought joy and laughter, while her culinary celebrations ensured that no one left without a taste of her kindness.
Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Brett Eikenbary; her parents, Charles Richard and Winbourne Ranney; her in-laws, Albert and Beverley Eikenbary; and a sister, Christine (Ranney) Cantey.
She is survived by her three daughters, Alexandra Eikenbary, Brook Gerace, and Natasha Eikenbary; her grandsons, Jaxon and Lincoln Gerace; sons-in-law, Dan Gerace and Noel Hastings; her sister-in-law, Beth Ann Eikenbary; and her siblings, Kathleen (Ranney) Thayer, Richard Ranney, and Linda (Ranney) Hicks, as well as six nieces and nephews.
Susan was kind, generous and had a mischievous smile that hid a sardonic sense of humor. She will be missed but never forgotten.
In memory of Susan, a celebration will be held in Boulder in late July. Friends and family will gather to honor her life. Supporting mothers and children was a cause dear to Susan's heart. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate remembrances be made to the International Rescue Committee, P.O. Box 6068, Albert Lea, MN 56007-9847.