Susan Ball Clarke Burningham

Susan Ball Clarke Burningham returned to the arms of her doting husband, parents, and other cherished family members early Saturday morning, December 16, 2023. Susan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 17, 1946 to James and Elaine Clarke. Susan was the oldest of her three siblings, Stephen (deceased), Jeff and Catherine. The first few years of her life were spent all over the country as her family followed her dad through completing his military service and medical training. At about seven years old, she moved to her beloved Bountiful, Utah, where she would reside for the majority of the rest of her life.

Most of Susan’s educational life was spent in Bountiful and in 1968 she graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A. in History. Susan met her companion and husband, Kim Burningham, when she was a student at Bountiful High School. Kim, or Mr. B. as he was known to Susan at that time, was her debate teacher. Thankfully, they waited many years to begin dating. In describing how they met, Kim relished making the statement, “I began dating Susan when she was a junior.” After an uncomfortable beat he would add, “…in college.” They were married on December 19, 1968 in the Salt Lake temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Together, Susan and Kim raised two rambunctious and adorable boys, Christian and Tyler, whom Susan delighted in rearing despite them testing her patience with their constant shenanigans.

Susan’s life was full and happy. Even though her life was at times marred by health issues, she always strove to remain positive and productive. She spent her days doting on any child who came her way and welcoming inside anyone who came to her door for a visit. Susan had a great love of literature and was always devouring a book and then often recommending and/or giving them to friends and family. She took every opportunity to experience the arts. Susan served faithfully and endlessly in her professional roles and in her callings and responsibilities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Susan is survived by her two sons, Christian (Susi) Burningham and Tyler (Ann) Burningham, her eight beloved grandchildren, five adorable great-grandchildren, her sister Catherine (Roy) Robinson and brother Jeff (Mary) Clarke as well as a brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and an abundance of adored nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Friday, December 22, 2023 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful Utah. An additional viewing will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 9:45am – 10:45am at the Bountiful Canyon Park Ward building, 1190 East Bountiful Hills Drive, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Bountiful Canyon Park Ward building. 

Services will be streamed live on Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and this obituary page.