Springfield has lost one of its most beloved pioneers. Sue Kesey, co-founder of Springfield Creamery and the driving force behind the nationally loved Nancy’s Yogurt, has passed away at the age of 86.
Sue and her husband Chuck were fresh out of Oregon State University in 1960 when they opened Springfield Creamery. What began as a small local dairy serving schools and home delivery routes soon turned into something much bigger. A decade later, Sue and Chuck made history when they introduced live probiotics into their yogurt—becoming the first company in the United States to do so. That bold move set the stage for Nancy’s Yogurt, a product that would not only change the way Americans thought about dairy but also put Springfield on the map.
But success wasn’t always guaranteed. By the early 1970s, rising costs threatened to shut the creamery down. Sue, with her steady leadership and community spirit, helped orchestrate one of Oregon’s most legendary fundraisers: a Grateful Dead benefit concert. The Dead, connected to the Kesey family through Chuck’s brother, author Ken Kesey, played not for fame or profit—but simply to help their friends. Decades later, Sue recalled the gesture with deep gratitude, calling it an act of family.
Through it all, Sue was more than the face of the business—she was its heart. Springfield Creamery described her as the backbone of the operation, known for her integrity, vision, and quiet strength. For generations of Oregonians who grew up with Nancy’s on their breakfast table, her influence was woven into everyday life.
Sue and Chuck married in 1960, beginning a partnership that lasted more than six decades. Together, they built not just a creamery, but a legacy of community, resilience, and innovation.
Details of a celebration of her life will be announced by Springfield Creamery in the weeks ahead.
