April 22, 1946 – April 5, 2025
Susan (Rusty) Wheaton died on April 5, 2025, aged 79, at the Canyonlands Care Center in Moab.
Rusty was born on April 22, 1946, in Texas. She spent much of her early childhood in Peru and she loved to tell stories about that time. Fluent in Spanish, Rusty enjoyed surprising people with quick responses in the language that often inspired much laughter and a dose of consternation.
Rusty earned a degree in anthropology and worked as a social worker for a time. She and her husband, Bruce, lived in Santa Barbara, California, eventually making their way east to Moab after spending some time in Canada.
Rusty and Bruce camped along the river, panned for gold, collected pinyon nuts and found all manner of ways to earn a living in Moab. Eventually, they bought the Entrada Ranch (now the Rio Mesa Center) and ran it as a small guest ranch, long before Moab became a sought-out destination. Numerous caretakers helped keep the ranch running and kept in touch with Rusty over the years, as did many repeat guests.
While living in Moab, Rusty supported many nonprofits. In 2009, she contributed funding to Rim to Rim Restoration to acquire the Mayberry Preserve along River Road with the goal of establishing a native plant propagation center. Honoring her mother’s interests, she assisted the Moab Valley Multicultural Center in acquiring their office on 100 West by providing a three-year bridge loan for the property until the full purchase price could be raised in 2013. Rusty also supported KZMU from its inception, as well as the Moab Free Health Clinic and many other local community organizations.
In her last two decades, Rusty lived with Parkinson’s but was able to remain in her home with the help of numerous friends and caregivers. In her final 18 months, she moved into the Canyonlands Care Center after some time in Grand Junction, Colorado. When Rusty moved in December, she was so happy to again see the red cliffs of Moab out her window. The care center welcomed her with open arms and provided excellent support during her final months – helping navigate through her final days with incredible caring and support for Rusty and those helping her.
Rusty was preceded in death by her father, Bill Hendrick; mother, Sue Hendrick; cousin, Ginny Welch; as well as her husband, Bruce Wheaton, and late-in-life partner, John Dohrenwend. She is survived by her nieces Jess Wheaton, Lizzy Welch, and Virginia Welch; her sister-in-law, Carolyn; two brothers-in-law, Mark and Randy; and many friends in Moab and elsewhere.
Please consider a donation to the Moab Valley Multicultural Center in memory of Rusty. Rusty adored
the center and its mission of supporting Moab’s diversity of cultures and communities stood close to her heart.
A celebration of life will take place on May 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rusty’s home. Please reserve parking immediately at the house for those with limited mobility. Additional parking is available along the north side of the road. For more information about the celebration, email kara@reveg.org.
Friends and family are invited to share tributes online at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com
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