She attended Britton Elementary and High schools (now Britton-Hecla) and graduated with a degree in English from Augustana College in 1978.
In 1983, Susan and Mark moved back to Britton with their newborn son, and continued to raise their children, three in all, in South Dakota close to family.
As a high school student, Susan served as an intern in the South Dakota legislature.
She is a representative to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and on the planning committee for the International Legislators Conference.
She is an alumna of the Midwestern Council of State Government's Bowhay Legislative Leadership Development Program.