Sue Mabeus

(From Hasemann Funeral Home)

Sue Ann Lundgren Mabeus, 70, of Emerson, walked on due to multiple lengthy illnesses on October 25 at Wayne Countryview Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Per her wishes, there will be no visitation or services and her body will be cremated.

Sue Ann Lundgren Mabeus was born in O'Neill, NE on November 22, 1953, to Clifford Roy and Elzene Faye (Thomas) Lundgren. She was baptized in the Presbyterian Church in O'Neill, NE, and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in Dixon, NE.

After living in three states, Sue started Kindergarten at the age of four in Madison, NE, and then attended District #66, a one-room schoolhouse northwest of Wayne, NE, through the Third Grade when the family moved to Wayne. There she attended Wayne Elementary School, Hahn School, and Wayne Junior High and High Schools. After another family move, Sue graduated from Allen High School as salutatorian.

Growing up, Sue enjoyed playing piano and the clarinet, going to the library, riding bikes, swimming, roller skating, skateboarding, bowling, volleyball, playing softball, riding horses, Girls Scouts, 4-H, being outside, and listening to records.

Other activities were Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, camping, hiking, and fishing in the US and Canada, traveling across the US to see concerts, photography, art, drawing, architecture, watching movies with friends, reading, writing, visiting family and friends, riding motorcycles, playing pool, foosball, snooker, shuffleboard, Backgammon, Cribbage, Uno, Euchre, Pitch, Rummy, Hearts, Bridge, and Six Across, as well as antiquing, gardening, sewing, quilting, embroidering, cooking, baking, canning, and raising chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, and parakeets.

Although Sue's first paying jobs were as a dandelion digger and ironing, she also worked as a maid, a groundskeeper, a waitress, a cook, a bartender, a bar manager, a nursing assistant, a finish carpenter, a meat cutter, a child and family services worker, and a customer service representative and collector.

Sue earned a BS in English and political science, an MAE in English education, a 7-12 teaching endorsement in English and political science from Wayne State College; a K-12 Masters in teaching English as a Second Language from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO; an MA in administration and educational leadership from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS; and 24 hours towards an EDS, with the goal of earning her Doctorate in educational leadership/curriculum and instruction.

Sue taught freshman composition, intro to literature, and intro to communication as well as lecturing in Women's History at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE; junior and senior English at Neosho High School and English/general studies and film and writing at the Alternative Night High School in Neosho, MO; and SAT/ACT test prep and English at Neosho High School Summer School. Sue also taught sophomore English, speech/debate, newspaper/journalism, and yearbook at the Yates Center, KS High School. Additionally, Sue served as curriculum director in K-12 language arts, ESL, and social studies in Derby, KS.Sue retired early from education to serve as her mother's 24/7 sole caregiver for over a dozen years until the day her mother walked on from lengthy illnesses.

She was preceded in death by her mother and her son, Andrew Oak Mabeus.

Should you wish to remember or honor Sue, please plant a tree or some perennials, read aloud to someone, or raise a toast to free spirits everywhere.