Susan Renee (Smith) Callender passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at The Cottages in Boise.
Susan was born in Moscow, Idaho, on March 28, 1948, to Buford Beville Smith and Ellen JoAnne (Warren) Smith. Buford, a WWII Navy Veteran, was earning his backcountry pilot’s license on the GI Bill while he and Ellen operated Moscow’s only taxi company.
Susan’s brother, Alan, joined the family, with his birth in 1949.
In 1951 Buford and Ellen moved the family to Winchester, Idaho, where they had both been raised. From that time, Susan and Alan were raised in Winchester, with their grandparents John and Eupha Smith and Jimmy and Lucy Warren nearby.
Susan spent grades K-8 in Winchester and was then bussed to Highland High School, in Craigmont, for her high school years where she enjoyed many activities including cheerleading.
Susan attended the University of Idaho starting in 1966 and met the love of her life, Sollie Richard Callender in 1968. Susan and Sollie were married on September 9, 1969, in Lewiston, Idaho, and left Idaho soon after their wedding so Sollie could report to his first Army post in Maryland. From there, they were also stationed in Virgina and Texas until Sollie received orders for Vietnam in 1970. During Sollie’s time in Vietnam Susan returned to Moscow and continued college.
In 1971 Susan and Sollie moved to Sollie’s hometown, Cascade, Idaho. From 1971 until 1979 Susan and Sollie enjoyed a busy life in Cascade working in the family businesses of cattle ranching, banking, and insurance. There were many hours irrigating in the rain and even getting bucked off a few horses – Champ specifically.
On July 27, 1978, Susan and Sollie welcomed the birth of their son, Timothy Sol Callender, in Cascade.
In 1979 the family of three moved to run a ranch along the Payette River, just north of Gardena and Horseshoe Bend. While Sollie ranched, Susan doubled her time as a full-time mom and continuing student just “over the hill” at Boise State University. Susan spent many hours driving over the old Horseshoe Bend hill in her Dodge station wagon, no matter the weather, to attend classes at BSU, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1982.
In 1983 Susan, Sollie, and Tim moved to a ranch outside of Payette, Idaho, not too far from Paddock Reservoir and Little Willow Creek. It was here that Susan began her teaching career, driving 15 miles, one way, from the ranch to Payette, to pursue her passion of teaching. Susan enjoyed a 26-year career as a teacher in the Payette School District while also earning her Master’s in Education, from BSU, in 1989.
As a teacher, Susan enjoyed having summers available to go on adventures with her family. Often, Susan would take Tim north to Winchester to enjoy her hometown and the beautiful forests of northern Idaho. Many summers were also spent playing in the mountains of Valley County or on family vacations to places like Scotland, Washington D.C., Canada, and many states throughout the US.
In 2008 Susan suffered a major stroke but she did fight back to have many good years with her friends and family. Susan received amazing care at both Royal Villa in Payette and The Cottages of Boise. Susan’s family will be forever thankful to all who cared for Susan and cannot say enough about the wonderful caregivers that made Susan’s life great. Susan’s family is also thankful for Susan’s hospice nurse, Stacy, who made the impossible graceful.
Susan loved to dance and could often be found with the music cranked at home while she danced an entire Sunday afternoon away. Susan loved to play piano and was a source of inspiration for Tim as he developed his own love for playing and performing music. Susan also loved animals and would be the first to pull over and adopt a cat, dog, duck, or any other critter that might be wandering the side of the road. More than anything, Susan loved her grandchildren, Anika and Wyatt, and loved every minute spent with them.
Susan is survived by her husband Sollie Callender of Boise; son and daughter-in-law Tim and Kendal (Adkins) Callender of Boise; two grandchildren Anika Callender (13) and Wyatt Callender (8) of Boise; brother Alan (Peggy) Smith of Ahsahka, ID; nephew Jeff (Melanie) Smith of Chubbuck, ID; nephew Greg (Stacie) Smith of Clarkston, WA; and 6 great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday November 17th starting at 1:30pm in the Aspen Room at the Riverside Hotel (2900 W. Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Susan’s name to your local animal shelter.