Susan Cunningham

In the evening of March 4th, Susan Linnell Cunningham passed away of a heart episode. She was born on March 31, 1958, in Conrad, MT to Mel and Lillian Chase Linnell. She lived in Sunburst, MT getting to grow up in a small town, which she defended as the best way. Her childhood had a rough patch in the early 70's when her brothers were in a car accident that took the life of Allen and seriously injured Gail. She graduated from North Toole County High School in 1976 and went on to achieve a bachelor's degree in business from MSU in 1980. As a freshman she pledged the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and lived at the Theta house for the rest of her time at MSU, where she became an avid supporter of the Bobcats. She enjoyed college life and became the President of her sorority senior year. She remained close friends with many of her Theta sisters to this day.

In the summer during college, she worked at her family's business, Linnell's Conoco, in Sunburst and as a Border Agent at the Sweetgrass crossing into Canada. After graduation she moved to Billings to find a job and through a Theta sister's dad, she got a position in Crop Insurance at the county office. She worked in the county office as a field representative, loss adjuster, trainer and reviewer. In 1988 she left FCIC to go into the sales of crop insurance for Stroud Crop Insurance. In 1990, Susan started Cunningham Crop Insurance to help Agents with the sales and service of a very complicated product. In that endeavor she met hundreds of producers and agents that started as clients, but in Susan's care, they became like family. To say Susan was a relational person would be an understatement. She not only took care of the crop insurance aspect for her producers; she developed long lasting relationships with them. In 2018, she was recognized nationally with the Crop Insurance Industry Outstanding Service Award in recognition for outstanding service.

In May of 1982, Susan and a couple of friends went to the Miles City Bucking Horse sale and there she met the love of her life Bill Cunningham. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on September 11, 1982, in Sunburst. Bill's career as a driller in the oil field had come to an end in North Dakota just before they met, so it was back to construction for him. In June 1985 Susan and Bill were blessed with her first born, Chase Allen. They welcomed their 2nd child Cera Carol in January of 1989. She was a great mom to her children and any children she had in her care. All the kids' and grandkids' friends can attest that she was like an extra mom or grandma to them whenever they were around her. She was blessed with a couple waves of grandkids and then great grandkids. She was the happiest surrounded by her kids, grandkids, great grandkids. Travel was also a big part of Susan's life whether driving around the state meeting with farmer's or getting on airplanes to go somewhere to have some fun or visit family. Lately, Bobcat football has been a source of lots of enjoyment. Go Cats!! But foremost in her life was her relationship with Jesus and loving and caring for people in whatever situation they were in. If you were lucky enough to know her, you know that.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mel and Lillian Linnell, her brothers David, Allen, Gail and Roger. She is survived by her husband Bill, son Chase (wife Cassidy, children Paxton & Jordan), daughter Cera (daughters Cereniti and Triniti). Courtney (children: Sydney, Jake, Ximon (Za'Kiyy, Elias)), Chloe (husband Marcus Miller, children: Madelyn, Macy, Molly, and Cooper), Kyle (Wife Kerri, children Rily, Ryan, Avery, and Brinley). Sister-in-laws: Nancy, Ginny, & Sharon Linnell and many beloved nieces and nephews.