Submit a PhotoSusan Rachael Hemple, age 43, passed away on March 11, 2026. She was born on February 15, 1983, in Highland Park, Illinois.
Susan grew up in Orem, Utah, alongside her nine siblings, where they shared a special bond that carried through their lives. She attended Timpanogos High School and formed friendships and memories that shaped her early years.
Susan was creative, passionate, and full of personality. She was a talented nail artist who was well known for her artistic talent and eye for detail. Nails were more than a job to her. They were her canvas. She loved helping people feel beautiful and confident, whether through a fresh set of nails, great hair, glowing skin, or the perfect lip gloss. She embraced all things girly and expressive. Susan also had a bright, contagious smile that could light up a room. Those closest to her often affectionately referred to her as “Susie Sunshine” or “Sunny Sunflower,” a reflection of the warmth and light she brought to those around her. She also had a deep love for animals and a soft heart for children.
In recent years, Susan made her home in Arizona, where she loved the sunshine and warm weather. She especially cherished the time spent with her father, often showing her love by preparing thoughtful, homemade meals. She had a special affection for her parents’ dogs, Briar and Daisy, who brought her great comfort and joy.
Susan’s life was marked by both beauty and hardship. She was resilient and, even in difficult seasons, tried to show up for those around her. She was deeply loved and will be remembered for her heart, her creativity, and the joy she shared.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Stephanie Pope.
She is survived by her children, Ashley (Cole) Talbot, Ayden Stock, and Kyler Pope; her parents, Ernest and Darlene Hemple; and her siblings, Stacy Wegner, Sheri (Ron) Widerburg, Brent Fiegle, Michelle (Scott) Jolley, Nathan (Bre) Hemple, Brian Hemple, Matthew (Rachel) Hemple, and Michael (Kayla) Hemple. She was also joyfully anticipating the arrival of her first grandchild. She is further survived by 20 beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the LDS Chapel, 8161 South Power Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142. A viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by a family prayer gathering at 9:30 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m., with a funeral procession at 11:30 a.m.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 East Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85297.
A family luncheon provided by the Relief Society will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the LDS Chapel in Queen Creek.
Flowers may be sent to Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 East Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85297.
Susan was deeply loved, and her absence will be profoundly felt. She will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Her memory will be cherished always, and she will be forever loved and remembered.
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Oh Susie, a bright light has dimmed. I don’t think you ever knew how bright your light was. The first time I met you, in Provo, I was drawn to your spirit. You were the only English person in the nail shop. I had just moved to Utah and was finding my way around. You had a “hard” look about you and I thought you must have had a rough life. As we talked, I could see your softness, kindness, and vulnerability. I knew I wanted to be friends with you. As our friendship grew, you talked about having those same feelings that day. So you moved on to SLC and I followed you. (You were the best nail artist!) You worked so hard to make your nail shop successful, but as time went on, I felt the cards were stacked against you. There were many dark days before you returned to Arizona. I was sad to see you go, but felt you’re going to a better place and hopefully heal your spirit. Not long after you posted something, and you were so happy talking about communing with nature, being with your family and how good you felt. I was hoping that was the “fix”. Last week when you called me, I knew you were in trouble, you didn’t make a lot of sense, worried about your health and your troubles at home. I was worried about you possibly relapsing. You abruptly ended our phone call, saying you’d call me right back. ….. the next call I got was yesterday from your Dad, telling me of your passing. I’ve not been able to think of anything else. It brings me comfort knowing you’re wrapped in your Heavenly Father’s arms, that you’re with Stephanie and everyone that loves you. I hope you felt my love. I miss our talks, lunches and dinners together, and am grateful I was able to feel your light and goodness. Love, Leslie Harker ❤️❤️
May our Heavenly Father watch over Susan and help the family find comfort knowing that she is now in heaven along side our savior.
Susie, I found this out just yesterday and my heart just aches. You were truly a kind, gentle, unique spirit in a world filled with so much of the opposite. Our last texts were a few weeks ago in Feb and our conversation was meaningful. I’m grateful for that convo, but so deeply sad that it will forever be our last.
I look thru pics in my camera roll of us together or videos of you doing my nails or toes at the day spa we met at (I technically had been your boss but we quickly became friends). Those pics and videos are treasured now more than ever. I still have gifts you gave me for my birthday too – because that’s the person you were , so undeniably kind and thoughtful.
My heart just grieves the loss this world has experienced by no longer having your beautiful soul walking the earth. I have no doubt you oftentimes felt small and overlooked and I think we bonded and related to each other in that aspect – but you never failed to make me feel seen and valued. I hope I was able to do the same for you and more than anything I hope you now finally know how special, how amazing, how beautiful you TRULY were/are.
I know life wasn’t easy for you and it certainly isn’t always kind – but you never failed to still be a light glowing incessantly, illuminating a path for others even when you struggled to find your own way out of the darkness. You were simply that person who put others first and you deserved so much better than what this life gave you.
My only peace right now is in knowing that where you are there’s no more pain, sadness, tears or challenges; that you’re in a place where you finally get to be fully embraced for all the beauty you hold and you get to just be, just exist in everlasting love so powerful you’ve completely forgotten the hardships of this world.
I know our Heavenly Father is holding you tight and the love is unconditional and unfathomable. It’s everything you deserve.
But there’s still a part of me that will not stop wishing you were still here, that we could meet up for dinner one last time, have a few more deep uplifting convos, laugh about silliness and nonsense because we definitely had that in common, maybe even have you do Disney nails for me again! These things and having the honor of knowing you, my friend, I will always always always cherish.
I love you ❤️ and I miss your smile (and your giggle) so much already… Rest in peace, my beautiful friend.