Leslie Susan Alto — better known as Susan, Sue, Mom or Grandma Sue — was born May 3, 1949 and passed away on June 10, 2022 at the age of 73. She was born to Marlyn and Art Moxon and resided in the Arcata Bottoms for most of her life. Growing up she was involved in 4-H and dance, was the star of the Arcata High School Flower Drum Song musical, and enjoyed competing in gymkhana events.

She met her husband, Larry Alto of Eureka during school and were married in June 1966. They soon welcomed their four children into the world, and while Larry drove truck for Alto Bros Trucking, Sue spent the next years of her life raising children and running the barn. Whether it was filled with horses, Hereford cattle, or 4-H and FFA projects (both her children and grandchildren’s), she was a county fair fixture, known affectionately by all as Grandma Sue. As lifelong Hereford breeders, Larry and Susan devoted much of their lives to Alto Herefords; showing and selling cattle at the local, state, and national levels while earning many accolades along the way including the CNHA Hereford Breeder award in 2009. Her passion for Hereford cattle is instilled in her family and will be for generations to come; however, her greatest joy in life came from spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sue Alto was the bravest and strongest woman to ever grace her family. She put others first and never hesitated to volunteer or offer a helping hand.

Sue is preceded in death by her parents Art and Marlyn Moxon of Arcata. She is survived by her husband Larry of 56 years; her four children, daughter Lisa Dias of Eureka; son Kevin (Sara) Alto of McKinleyville; daughter Carrie (Barry) Morrell of Willows; and son Rusty Alto of Klamath Falls; her siblings, Diane (Marc) Lafleur of Dow’s Prairie; June (Ken) Moxon of Arcata; and Jack (Donna) Moxon of Arcata; her brother-in-law’s, Gary Alto and Jerry (Lola) Alto; her grandchildren Amber (Rafael) Lopez, Sadie Mullins, Chelsea (Kolby) Jackson, Rachel Dias, Bailey Morrell, Hannah Alto, Logan Alto, and Connor Alto; great-grandchildren, Hayden, Cinch, Parker, Bentley, and Leslie Mae; and numerous nieces and nephews. She leaves behind a blonde-haired, blue-eyed legacy for years to come.

A Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held at Azalea Hall, 1620 Pickett Road, McKinleyville from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 2, 2022. Family and friends are asked to please bring a dessert to share.

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