Susan K Lahmeyer, 69, of Sarasota, Fla., passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020. She succumbed after a short battle with a rare and aggressive cancer known as Monomorphic Epitheliotropic Intestinal T cell Lymphoma (MEITL).
Susan was born July 20, 1950, to the union of Georgia Elizabeth and John August Lahmeyer, Jr. She was reared on the Lahmeyer Dairy Farm near Bland, Mo., with four siblings, a slew of dairy cows and priceless farm life experiences. She attended Bland Elementary, Junior High and Owensville High School, graduating in 1968. She attended and was confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ.
As a young girl, Susan enjoyed 4-H Club, summer church camps and playing softball on the UCC Church team. She learned lifelong skills in sewing, baking, caring for her younger siblings and was always developing her creative side, from painting giant flowers on the bathroom doors to making ping-pong ball earrings. Definitely an obvious precursor to a successful career path!
Susan graduated from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo., with a Bachelor’s in Theater Arts in 1972. She went on to attend theater programs at UC Santa Barbara and Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., earning a Master’s degree in Costume Design. She then joined Stevens College in Columbia as a faculty member for several years. While at Stevens College, she received an opportunity to teach at Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus’ Clown College in Venice, Fla. After that position, she was employed in the Props department of Feld Entertainment. Susan had an engaging and creative career sewing and using her engineering-like mind to construct and decorate all things, from huge fire breathing dragons and delicate sea creatures to a hat for the Pope. She retired in 2016, culminating a 36-year career with the Entertainment industry. In retirement, Susan continued to utilize her talents doing seasonal contract costume work for the Sarasota Opera.
Susan made her home in Sarasota, Fla., since the 1980’s with partner Randall Cotner (deceased). Her creativity overflowed into her daily life. If you could imagine it, she could make it. From the most original costumes to childhood and adult playthings like car seat covers and awnings, she was an original designer and master seamstress. Susan is survived by their son, her pride, joy and best friend, Sean Lahmeyer Cotner (Elizabeth) of Sarasota, Grandson Dylan Cotner of Delray Beach, Fla., and her partner Tony Mitchell. Also surviving are her siblings Emma Lee Lahmeyer (Connie Presley, deceased) of Keokuk, Iowa, Thomas Lahmeyer (Dr. Cathy Lahmeyer) of Owensville, Mo., Margaret Kawaoka (Keith) of Petaluma, Calif., and Rev. Van Lahmeyer (Juliet) of Owensville, Mo., as well as nieces Katie Kawaoka, Maggie Lahmeyer, and Fiona Lahmeyer; nephews First Sergeant Eric Kawaoka (Jessica), Captain Joseph Lahmeyer (Hannah), Michael Lahmeyer and several great nieces and nephews.
Due to COVID19, no services will be held at this time. Susan’s wishes were to be cremated. Susan was passionate about empowering everyone who wanted to pursue a career in stage craft. To honor Susan’s memory, a donation code has been established for gifts made in her memory. It is In Memory of Susan Lahmeyer benefitting Building Better Grown Ups Scholarship. Any checks should be made out to The Players Inc., noting in the memo line IMO Susan Lahmeyer.
The Players Centre For Performing Arts
838 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota FL 34236
On-line donations can be made on the website www.theplayers.org/support-us/donate where there is a pull down option In Memory of Susan Lahmeyer.
