Susan Jane Roushar

1937 - 2026

Susan Jane Roushar
February 27, 1937 - February 19, 2026
Susan (Sue) Jane Roushar, 88, of Montrose, Colorado, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Sue was born Susan Jane Vetesk on February 27, 1937, in Denver, Colorado, to Alfred and Constance (Metz) Vetesk. From the beginning, she possessed the warmth, curiosity, and steady determination that would define her life.
She met the love of her life, Victor T. Roushar, at East High School in Denver - and as family lore tells it, it was love at first sight. After graduating from Colorado State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a lifetime teaching certificate in Elementary Education, Sue and Vic were married in Denver and soon began building the family that would become the center of her world. In 1964, they made Montrose their home, where they spent more than six decades creating a life rich in service, friendship, and adventure.
While Vic established his law practice, Sue poured her energy into nurturing children and supporting mothers. She became the first kindergarten teacher at Oak Grove School, where she championed learning through play long before it was widely embraced. After her own children were in school, she became a beloved and familiar substitute teacher throughout the RE1J district.
Her passion for supporting families led her to organize a La Leche League group, helping educate both parents and physicians about breastfeeding. She later founded a parent education preschool that combined hands-on learning centers for children with classes for mothers - a reflection of her deep belief that confident parents build confident children. Even after her children were grown, she continued fostering community by starting the Third Thursday Book Group, which still gathers today.
Sue was a woman of wide interests and generous involvement. She treasured her lifelong friendships in P.E.O., proudly serving and supporting its mission. She served on the Colorado Extension Advisory Council and on the board of the Delta/Montrose Community Concert Association. She even achieved lifetime membership status in Weight Watchers, attending meetings around the world - a testament to both her commitment and her adventurous spirit.
Sue and Vic shared a love of travel and explored many parts of the world together. Closer to home, they delighted in skiing, square dancing, Jeep rides, and spontaneous trips to Las Vegas. They were always ready for a drive to Ouray - for wildflowers at Yankee Boy Basin, a history talk at the museum, dinner at the Bon Ton, or a sweet stop at Mouse Chocolates. Sue's favorite season was fall, and she never tired of drives through western Colorado's golden mountains, sitting beside Vic and soaking in the beauty she loved so much.
She had an eye for treasures and could happily lose herself in an antique store, searching for the perfect silver spoon, delicate china teacup, or piece of Depression glass. A talented hand-craftswoman, Sue often joked she could have happily lived in the 1800s. She quilted, knitted, cross-stitched, made rugs, spun yarn, and dabbled in lace-making, weaving, and beading - rarely sitting idle and always creating something beautiful.
Sue was also a wonderful cook, forever reading cookbooks, watching cooking shows, and experimenting in the kitchen. A lifelong learner, she often said she would have loved to earn degrees in nutrition, fashion design, or home economics - because curiosity never left her.
Above all, Sue was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Victor; her daughter, Penny Jansen (Eric); her sons, Rodney Roushar and Samuel Roushar; her grandchildren, Laura Jansen (Jamie), Alex Jansen (Hannah), and Ellen Katarai (Arash); and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Bradley Roushar.
Sue made ordinary days brighter with her smile, her laugh, and her steady, generous love. She leaves behind a family rooted in her warmth and a community touched by her kindness.
A memorial service will be held at Crippin Funeral Home on March 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with interment to follow at Grand View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, HopeWest, or a charity of choice.