Susan Kay Winten was born on February 4, 1955 to Morris and Barbara (Gasseling) Pipitt. She was welcomed into the family by her older sister, Denice. Later, they both welcomed their younger siblings, Greg and Carolyn into the family. They grew up and worked on the family farm southwest of Hemingford.
Susan started Elementary school in a small country school house. When it consolidated, she finished her education at Hemingford High School. She was a member of the Pep Club, Music Club, Speech Team and performed in school plays. Susan graduated from high school in 1973, and went on to further her education at Chadron State College.
Susan married her high school sweetheart, Bruce Winten, on February 15, 1975 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. They rented a farm from George Osborne for 2 years before buying a house in town in 1979. This is where the roots were planted and beautiful memories were made for many decades.
Susan began her career as a secretary at Guardian State Bank/Abbott Bank for 18 years. She also provided childcare in her home for three years after Amanda was born. Susan was the manager for the Box Butte County Fair for several years. She was a secretary/insurance agent at Gregory’s Insurance in Hemingford until the office closed, then transferred to Gregory’s in Alliance until she retired in 2022.
Bruce and Susan enjoyed taking their camper on short family vacations to South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park. Susan enjoyed spending time with family the most. Susan never missed a sporting event of her children. Bruce and Susan were also the biggest fans of their grandkids, making time to attend their sporting events. She also enjoyed many hobbies with her mom and sisters, including ceramics, tin punch, sewing, painting and card making. She always loved hanging out with the “stamping ladies”! Susan served at St Bridget’s Church as the bookkeeper for a number of years and as a member of the Altar Society and the Parish Council. She also enjoyed volunteering and maintaining the “garden”, at the Hemingford Care Center.
Susan passed away at the age of 70 on December 29, 2025 in her home surrounded by family after a 2 year battle with Glioblastoma. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Morris and Barbara Pipitt. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Bruce, her children Corey Winten (Shannon) of Krugerville, Texas and Amanda Willey (Aaron) of Chadron, Nebraska and her grandchildren Vanessa and Tyler Winten and Peyton and Owen Willey. She is also survived by her sisters Denice Yardley (Mike) of Oklahoma City, Carolyn Phillips (Bob) of Hemingford and brother, Greg Pipitt (Cindy) of Alliance as well as many nieces and nephews
Visitation will be held at Bates-Gould in Hemingford from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026 with the Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. Funeral services will be held at St. Bridget’s on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Matt Koperski and Father Bryan Ernest officiating. Burial will be in the Hemingford Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the Parish Center.
Memorials can be sent to Bobcats Beating Cancer, St. Bridget’s Catholic Church or the Donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.