Susan Kay Hagedorn

Susan Kay Hagedorn, 69, of Hanover, KS, peacefully passed away January 7, 2023 at Bryan West in Lincoln, NE, surrounded by her family. Visitation was held from 1 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 12, at the Hanover Mortuary. The family received friends from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 13, at the Immanuel Lutheran (Hermansberg) Church, north-east of Bremen. Rev. Aaron Fenker, Sr. officiated. Bev Crome played the organ and the congregation sang “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It”, “Jesus, Lead Thou On”, and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Soloist, Andrew Bruna, sang “I’m But a Stranger Here” accompanied by pianist, Janet Fritschi. The pallbearers were her nephews, Tim Pralle, Austin Schotte, Zachary Schotte, Garrett Lister, Jake Sankey, Taylor Schotte, Luke Sankey and Hadley Schotte. The honorary pallbearers were her nieces, Tiffany Manning, Emily Allen, Jordyn Ring, Tessa Hobbs, and Maggie Schotte along with the U.S.D. 223 School Board Members, Janell Wohler, Doug Beikman, Gretchen Oehmke, Darren Bott, Steve Jueneman, Toby Bruna, Kellan Tegtmeier. Burial was in the church cemetery. Susan was born December 18, 1953, to Paul N. and Anita (Sohl) Schotte in Maryville, KS, the oldest of six children in a close-knit family. She was baptized January 3, 1954, and confirmed March 19, 1967, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Susan attended Immanuel Lutheran School and graduated from Marysville High School in 1971. After graduation, she attended Concordia Teacher College in Seward, Nebraska. On November 23, 1974, she was united in marriage to Larry Hagedorn at Immanuel Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three children, Katina, Karissa, and Kayne. Susan dedicated her life to education, earning several degrees, certificates, and endorsements. Following her employment at The Bremen Bank, while raising three children, she returned to higher education to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University, graduating magna cum laude. After receiving her Reading Specialist Degree from Emporia State University she began her career as a Reading Specialist at Hanover Public Schools. She also taught middle school English, Math, and Science. In 2007, she earned her Master of Arts in Education degree from Baker University. Sue believed that education reached farther than her classroom walls as she brought science to life through developing and teaching “Cool School” during the summer for twelve years. She was a master of her craft and truly loved using her God-given talents to positively influence each student that came through her door. Susan’s teaching career was highlighted with several accolades including earning the National Board for Professional Teaching Standard Certification and representing Kansas at NASA International Space Camp. After being named the Kansas Region I Teacher of the Year, she spent a year traveling the state of Kansas sharing her knowledge and passion for education. After several years inspiring students on a daily basis in her classroom, Susan earned her Master of Science in School Counseling and Student Development degree from Kansas State University and moved into her role as the School Counselor for Hanover Public Schools. Although Sue met and impacted countless students, her most favorite “students” were blessed to call her grandma. She instilled in her grandchildren a devotion to Jesus, a love for reading and learning, and an appreciation for hard work. She loved to spend time passing down family recipes as they baked for the County Fair, cheering them on at many soccer, basketball, and softball games, attending their school and church programs, and reading her favorite stories aloud to them. They were her pride and joy, there was nothing Grandma wouldn’t do for them. She showered them with love and was always ready to share their latest accomplishment. A premier pillar of Sue’s character was serving others. She spent countless hours running the score clock and taking gate at games, cleaning the church, participating in the Relay For Life event, organizing the Hanover 4-H Club, or helping prepare for countless FFA events. She and Larry were recognized by the Hanover FFA as Honorary Chapter Members and the Washington County 4-H with the Distinguished Service Award. Susan was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a dedicated disciple of faith. She lovingly taught Sunday School for 35 years and orchestrated the children’s Christmas program. She took advantage of every opportunity to share her faith. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul N. Schotte Jr.; Duane Kruse; father-in-law, Alvin Hagedorn; mother-in-law, Marjorie Hagedorn; sister-in-law, Marlaine Champagne. Survivors include her husband, Larry of 48 years, Hanover; children Katina (Darrin) Holle, Gardner, KS, Karissa (Dan) Stiers, Topeka, KS, Kayne (Taylor) Hagedorn, Waukee, IA; six grandchildren, Jackson, Emerson and Addison Holle, Amelia Stiers, Maisyn and Halle Hagedorn; mother Anita (Sohl) Schotte Kruse; sisters, Kathryn (Larry) Pralle, Bremen, KS, Jean (Craig) Lister, Marysville, KS, Ann (Hal) Sankey, Andale, KS; brothers Steve (Margaret) Schotte, Marysville, KS, Pat (Kelly) Schotte, Marysville, KS; brothers and sisters-in-law, Nancy (Wayne) Crome, Hanover, KS, Richard (Carol) Hagedorn, Herkimer, KS, Wayne Hagedorn, Ardmore, OK, Alice (Gordon) Stohs, Wamego, KS, Mark (Lori) Hagedorn, Hanover, KS; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends, students and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be designated by the family to be used for an educational scholarship fund for aspiring teachers, as well as memorials at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Hanover Public Schools. Contributions may be sent in care of the Hanover Mortuary. Funeral for Susan Hagedorn Part 1 Funeral for Susan Hagedorn Part 2 Committal of Susan Kay Hagedorn To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Susan Kay Hagedorn, please visit our flower store.