Susan L. Hiatt, age 63, of Hershey, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026, at her home along the South Platte River.

Susan was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, on July 23, 1962, to Donald and Beverly (Pollries) Grieb. At age seven, her family moved to North Platte to a house as old as she was on Anna Street when her father was promoted to with the Nebraska State Patrol. She spent her formative years there, graduating from North Platte High School in 1980.

Following a brief courtship, she married Vern Hiatt on December 21, 1984, which ended in an amicable divorce after 36 years. In June 1988, Susan and Vern welcomed their beloved daughter, Jennifer, who remained the light of Susan's life.

Susan was a woman who balanced hard work with a deep devotion to her family. One of Susan’s greatest joys was being a constant, supportive presence in Jennifer’s life as she grew up. She fully embraced her role as a "classroom mom," always ready to help with school activities and ensure her daughter felt encouraged in every endeavor. Whether she was cheering from the sidelines or helping out in the classroom, her dedication was a testament to the immense pride she took in being a mother and her commitment to supporting her daughter’s journey every step of the way. Susan supported her daughter through college, graduate school, and law school as well.

Susan began her career at Joe Dye Ford. She also worked at Allen’s Self Service with her sister Boots. She spent 25 years at the Camera & Lab Shop in Westfield Shopping Center. She always said she’d taken every vacation you possibly could through the pictures she printed. Susan supported the family construction business as well as their bookkeeper. She found her passion in cooking and delighted in working at Mid-Plains Community College cooking for the students. At the end of her working years, she enjoyed her time as the "donut lady" at Casey’s.

Susan’s journey later in life was marked by a courageous and successful path to sobriety. She found a second family within Alcoholics Anonymous, celebrating nine years of sobriety since May 2017.

She will be remembered for her unconditional love, her independent spirit, and her deep connection to the natural world. Whether she was watching deer along the river, caring for her pets, or finding peace in spiritual meditations of majestic eagles, Susan moved through the world with a quiet, gentle joy.

Those left to cherish Susan’s memory are Vern, and Jennifer, sisters Joan (Jim) Carstensen and Jacque Spangler, brother Chris (Shelia) Grieb, sisters in law Marilynn (Bruce Parker) Grieb, Judy (Tim) Nowak, Laura (Lyle) Miller, and Cathy Hiatt, brother in law Irv (Renae) Hiatt, many loved nieces and nephews, her AA family, dogs Otis and Gus, cat Shadow, grand pup Quinn Lynne Rose, and many other beloved friends and family.

She is preceded in death by her parents Donald and Beverly Grieb, brother Donald Grieb, Jr., sister Mary “Boots” Hanson-Langford, nephew Kevin Carstensen, in-laws Irving and Vivian Hiatt, brother in law David Spangler, Sr. and brother in law Gilbert Hiatt.

A memorial service will held Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Platte Alcoholics Anonymous. Online

condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.