Susan J. Hodges

Susan J. Hodges, of Waukesha, died peacefully on Friday, October 17, 2014 at the age of 69. She was born in Waukesha on February 26, 1945 the daughter of Joseph and Amanda (nee Tetzlaff) Stingl and grew up in Delafield in the “Old Mill”. Susan earned her bachelor’s degree from Alverno College and Master’s degree from Cardinal Stritch University. She started her career as a nun for 12 years, teaching 1st and 2nd grade at St. Martin School and was known as Sister Joan Francis. She went on to teach for 34 years at New Berlin Center School and retired from teaching in 2005. In her retirement, Susan worked as an adjunct professor at Carroll University teaching Technology Integration and she also owned her own business called Spirit Space. Susan was a Reiki Master Teacher, a certified acupuncturist and earned her 2 year certification as a midwife from Trish Burxvoort-Colligan. On July 15, 1995 she married Thomas Hodges in Waukesha where they made their home. Along with her husband she was a master scuba diver and they enjoyed their annual trips to Cozumel. They were also very involved with the International Thunderbird Club and enjoyed traveling to different Thunderbird conventions. Susan was a woman of strong faith and a devoted member of First United Methodist Church. At the church, Susan was a Lay Leader for 25 years, and enjoyed leading small retreats, summer camps and women’s small group studies. Susan will always be remembered as a gentle, kind and spiritual women and a loving wife, sister and friend to many.

She will be sadly missed by her husband Thomas Hodges of Waukesha, her sister Carol (Robert) Jagelski of Milwaukee, her nephews, Philip (Kelly) Jagelski and Mark (Sarah) Jagelski, and great-nephews Nicholas and Connor. She is further survived by her step-family, Roy (Toni) Farmer, Roberta Erbacher, Susan (Tom) Tiefenthaler, Tom (Kitty) Farmer, Terry (Kathy) Farmer and Kathy (Mike) Lane, her former spouse, Ken Post, along with other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Lawrence Stingl.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014 from 4:00 until 7:00PM at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186. Visitation continues at the church on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00AM until the time of the 11:00AM funeral service. Reverend Dan Schwerin will preside. Graveside services will immediately follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. Memorials in Susan’s name are appreciated to the First United Methodist Church or to the American Cancer Society, N19 W24350 Riverwood Dr. Waukesha, WI 53188.

Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, Crematory and Preplanning is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.