RAPID CITY - Susan Dian Melaven, 64, Rapid City, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, at Victorian Assisted Living facility in Rapid City. Susan was born July 7, 1946, at St. John's McNamara Hospital in Rapid City to Leonard and Helen Melvin. She graduated from Rapid City High School in 1964. Susan had a passionate heart and a sharp, curious mind. She received a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion while raising her children and working full time. She produced art, primarily watercolors, throughout her life. She worked for most of her adult life for companies including Nebraska Book Co. of Lincoln, Neb., Horizons of Rapid City and Mileage Plus of Rapid City. Her marriage to Dan Zenor in 1964 brought her two daughters, Tamara Lengacher, Minneapolis, and Darby Van Puffelen, St. Paul, Minn. Her marriage to J. Preston Ruddell in 1974 brought her one son, Steven Ruddell, Charlottesville, Va. At the end of her union with Preston, she elected to take her maiden name of Melvin back in its original Irish form: Melaven. Her union with Ray DeGeest - her one true love - in 1996 brought her a stepson, Luke DeGeest of Rapid City, and a stepdaughter, Karri DeGeest, of Kansas City, Mo. From Jan. 10, 1974, until her death, Susan remained free from her addiction to alcohol and drugs by the grace of God and the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. She touched the hearts of countless numbers of people over those 37 years. Susan had an uncompromising commitment to living a spiritual life, yet she was fully human, honestly acknowledging her own foibles. She had an uncommon ability to cut through to the heart of things, often with her quick wit. She delighted in gardening, in her grandchildren (Dylan, Devyn, Brenna and Owen), in small gatherings with her friends, and the glory of the Black Hills and the Badlands. She was a seeker of truth and found her heart's desire in Jesus Christ. In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, she is survived by her brother, David Melvin and his wife, Diane. A celebration of Susan's life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1012 Soo San Drive, with the Rev. Bob Jacobs officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Inurnment will be at a later date. A potluck in Susan's honor will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Alano Club, 325 Deadwood Ave. Memorials may be made to the Alano Society, 325 Deadwood Ave., Rapid City 57702.