Obituary for Susan Hettinger
TRYON -- Susan Steinhauer Hettinger, 89, of Tryon, NC passed away peacefully in her home in White Oak Village on November 19th, 2023.
Born in Davenport, Iowa in May 1934 and brought up in Albion, Michigan, Susan was the older of two daughters of Margaret Ann Rohwedder and Carl William Steinhauer Jr., and proud granddaughter of Otto F. Rohwedder, inventor of the bread slicer. She graduated from Albion High School where she was co-valedictorian of her class, and went on to study Elementary Education at DePauw University where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She achieved a Masters in Special Education from Syracuse University shortly thereafter. Her teaching career spanned many years in various public school systems, as well as in a private school where she was lead teacher for children with mental and physical disabilities.
In August 1957 she married Ronald Kenneth Hettinger of Albany, New York. Their beautiful union lasted for 55 ½ years until Ron’s passing in February 2013. Throughout their time together they made loving homes in New Hartford NY, Glens Falls NY, Irvington-on-Hudson NY, Annandale NJ, and finally settled in Columbus NC in 1989 for their retirement years. Ron and Susan were active members of the Tryon/Columbus community. They joined the Congregational Church in 1990 where Susan served on the board of Women’s Fellowship and was a member of Lydia’s Circle. She was a member and treasurer of Second Wind Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Tryon Little Theater where she was known as “the ticket lady” and also served on its board as secretary and vice president. At White Oak Village she continued her leadership roles as a member on the Resident Council, served as lead in welcoming new residents to the village, and acted as editor of The Oak Leaf newsletter. She was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge, and hardly ever missed a time to socialize. She loved living at White Oak!
Her greatest passion was her family. She is survived by her sister Sally O’Neel of Plymouth, MA, and her three children: Doug Hettinger (Christine) of Salem, SC, Rhonda Heffern (William) of Carversville, PA, and Jon Hettinger (Gloria) of Glen Rock, NJ. She was "Grandma" to seven grandchildren: Robert, Kate, Alexandra, Juliana, Elizabeth, Chloe and Seamus, and "G.G." to two great-grandchildren: Lucy and Gavin.
A memorial service will be announced.
Born in Davenport, Iowa in May 1934 and brought up in Albion, Michigan, Susan was the older of two daughters of Margaret Ann Rohwedder and Carl William Steinhauer Jr., and proud granddaughter of Otto F. Rohwedder, inventor of the bread slicer. She graduated from Albion High School where she was co-valedictorian of her class, and went on to study Elementary Education at DePauw University where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She achieved a Masters in Special Education from Syracuse University shortly thereafter. Her teaching career spanned many years in various public school systems, as well as in a private school where she was lead teacher for children with mental and physical disabilities.
In August 1957 she married Ronald Kenneth Hettinger of Albany, New York. Their beautiful union lasted for 55 ½ years until Ron’s passing in February 2013. Throughout their time together they made loving homes in New Hartford NY, Glens Falls NY, Irvington-on-Hudson NY, Annandale NJ, and finally settled in Columbus NC in 1989 for their retirement years. Ron and Susan were active members of the Tryon/Columbus community. They joined the Congregational Church in 1990 where Susan served on the board of Women’s Fellowship and was a member of Lydia’s Circle. She was a member and treasurer of Second Wind Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Tryon Little Theater where she was known as “the ticket lady” and also served on its board as secretary and vice president. At White Oak Village she continued her leadership roles as a member on the Resident Council, served as lead in welcoming new residents to the village, and acted as editor of The Oak Leaf newsletter. She was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge, and hardly ever missed a time to socialize. She loved living at White Oak!
Her greatest passion was her family. She is survived by her sister Sally O’Neel of Plymouth, MA, and her three children: Doug Hettinger (Christine) of Salem, SC, Rhonda Heffern (William) of Carversville, PA, and Jon Hettinger (Gloria) of Glen Rock, NJ. She was "Grandma" to seven grandchildren: Robert, Kate, Alexandra, Juliana, Elizabeth, Chloe and Seamus, and "G.G." to two great-grandchildren: Lucy and Gavin.
A memorial service will be announced.