Susan M. Hanhardt

Susan (“Susie” to many) Marie Hanhardt has returned home to be with Jesus.  She passed away peacefully Sunday November 26 in Gundersen-Lutheran Hospice Care.

She was born April 21, 1950 to Harlan and Dolores (Stinson) Bockenhauer. She lived in the Fountain City area and attended C.F.C. High School. She moved to La Crosse in the late 1970’s with her two daughters, studied at Western Technical College and began her career as a legal secretary and later a real estate secretary.  She met her soul mate Brian in the early 1980’s and they were married October 25, 1985.

Susan adored her family. She would spend hours looking at the many family photos that lined her hallway. She was extremely proud of her two daughters and their families. She loved the get-togethers for holidays, concerts, sporting events and other family events such as graduations, “back-to-school shopping” with the grandkids and occasional boat rides on the river. One longtime annual family tradition she very much looked forward to was “Fuzzy Animal Time” during Christmas. And, she was always excited to visit with her dad and her sister Mary and brother Bill.  At family gatherings, she was always quick to remind everyone that “if it wasn’t for me, none of you would be here!”

Susan loved being in the sun.  As often as she could, she would seek peaceful solitude being by herself in the backyard or on her deck planting flowers or painting/staining almost anything, including some of the many rocks she loved to collect.

Susan was an amazing woman, determined and steadfast. She faced numerous lifelong physical struggles head-on; but she never let them dampen her spirit or her attitude. She conquered each of her seemingly overwhelming challenges one-at-a-time, never complaining.

She was down-to-earth and insightful; quiet and unassuming; witty and funny.  She had a love of music and has been to many concerts. Paul McCartney was her favorite musician; she was able to see the Beatles on their second American tour in 1965 and saw him in concert twice in recent years. “Let It Be” was one of her favorite songs and understandably so: one lyric: “whisper words of wisdom” precisely describes her persona.

Susan also loved to travel with Brian. They were able to visit many destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on a cruise to Cozumel, Mex.

She is survived by her adoring husband of 38 years, Brian; two daughters: Sheila (Brent) Peterson, Tammy (Nicholas) Kollasch. Her sister Mary (Paul) Moore. Grandchildren Kristin (Paris) Moore, Devin Bagniewski, McKay Wolsey, Connor Kollasch.  Susan was a loving “Great Gramma” to Julian Moore, Kaylee Moore, LoveLee Moore and David “DJ” Bagniewski. Niece Dori Bockenhauer. Nephews: Joseph and Michael Moore, "BJ" Bockenhauer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother William “Bill” Bockenhauer, son-in-law Nicholas “Nick” Kollasch, brother-in-law Paul Moore.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to all Gundersen-Lutheran medical staff who tended to her over the years, especially the hospice care staff who kept her comfortable in her final days. Also, a special thank you to the multiple nursing home staffs that saw to her care over her later years.

A Celebration of Life will be held in April to coincide with her birthday.