Susan Gheens-Magnus

Susan Kay Gheens-Magnus, 56 of Mexico, MO, died at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, November 24, 2013, at her home.

Susan was born on December 28, 1956, in Moberly, MO, a daughter of Raymond and Marian Owens Gheens of Keytesville, MO. Susan attended Keytesville Schools graduating in 1975. She attended Northeast Missouri State University where she received her education degree in English in 1979. Susan taught in the Montgomery County R-II School district for 20 years and then taught in the Mexico #59 School District for 10 years. In both districts she served as junior class sponsor, cheer coach and English Department Chair. Susan was a board member of the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association. She was also a member of the Northeast Tech Prep Consortium and had served as an instructor for the Northeast Tech Prep Academy and the Nursing Academy held at Moberly Area Community College for several years.

Susan loved teaching and coaching her students. She did her best to not only teach them about English, but also about life. Susan loved attending Mizzou football and basketball games and was a supporter of the MU cheerleading squad.

She was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved cheering them on every season. Susan enjoyed camping and traveling to Florida with friends Ann and Jim Stubblefield. Susan was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Mexico.

She is survived by her husband Steve Magnus; her mother Mrs. Marian Gheens of Keytesville; mother-in-law Dorothy Magnus of Mexico; three sisters, Sally (Gary) Guilford, Judy (Jim) Boss all of Salisbury, Becky (Vance) Clearwater of Columbia; one sister-in-law Donna (Arp) Gheens of Keytesville; and several nieces and nephews, Travis (Kim) Homewood, Bradley (Emily) Boss, Chris (Keeley) Boss, Doug Boss, Eric Boss, Brenda (Shayne) Fuemmeler, Michele Guilford, Allie (Bill) Hayes, Lindsey Clearwater, Ryan Clearwater, Jenny (Darren) Neidholt, and Justin Alberson along with several great nieces and nephews. Susan is also survived by life-long friend Gary Gesling of Woodbridge, Virginia. Susan was preceded in death by her father, Raymond O. Gheens and her brother, Edgar Ray (Butch) Gheens.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for Susan, which will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 7, at the Mexico Elks Lodge. There will be a recieving line after the celebration of life. Pickering Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the University of Missouri Spirit Squad under the direction of Suzy Thompson. Suzy and the MU Cheerleaders were great friends with Susan and several of her cheerleaders cheered at MU along with other collegesin Missouri. Memorials may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.