Susan Jones

Susan Jones, 59, of Vermillion, SD passed away Friday, December 2nd in her home after an 11-year hard-fought battle against multiple terminal illnesses.

Susan Marie Erickson was born on July 2, 1963 in Los Angeles, CA. She was adopted by Norris and Cleo (Collar) Erickson and moved to Vermillion, SD where she lived most of her life. She graduated from Vermillion High School in 1981 and attended the University of South Dakota for two years before moving to Sioux Falls where she graduated from the Stewart School of Cosmetology. Upon graduation, she moved to Los Angeles where she worked as a hair and makeup consultant for May Company for six years.

In September 1989, Susan moved back to Vermillion to continue her educational journey at USD while also working at the Vermillion Beauty Shop. Shortly after, Susan met her husband Romney Jones when a mutual friend recommended him for a math tutor.  They were married on October 27, 1990 at the Austin-Whittemore House in Vermillion and renewed their wedding vows on October 27, 2021 in their home with the blessing by Father Don Imming.

Susan graduated with her bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1993 and while working towards her master’s degree, she instructed at various higher education institutions as well as conducted research as an analyst for local companies over the next ten years. In 2002, Susan started working as a Front Desk Manager at the Holiday Inn Express and was soon promoted to General Manager through September 2011 when her first terminal illness diagnosis forced her to exit the workforce.

Over the last decade, Susan faced numerous new illness diagnoses while keeping one thing above all: her love for her family.  Because of her strength, resilience and motivation to spend as much time as she could with her family, she gave herself the opportunity to attend both of her children’s college graduations in New Mexico and Oklahoma, son’s wedding in New Mexico, and to hug her only grandson who was born in May of this year.  With this desire to fight and desire to live, Susan was able to surpass every doctor’s estimation of life by years to be present for as many moments, big and small, as she could.  Susan’s fiery, positive, and caring attitude will be truly missed by everyone who was able to be a part of her life.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents Norris & Cleo Erickson, uncle Dean Erickson (Vermillion), niece Sydney Jones (Sioux Falls), step-father-in law Royal Koch (Tyndall) and father-in-law Troy Jones Sr. (Sioux Falls). She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Romney (Vermillion), son Dominick, daughter-in-law Lauren and grandson Jasper (Albuquerque, NM), daughter Claire (Scottsdale, AZ); mother-In-law, Coleta Koch (Sioux, Falls,SD) and brother.

In accordance of Susan’s wishes of a private ceremony with her family and close friends at a later date, we ask for well wishes for those who loved and supported her throughout her life.