Sue Carol Hodgen

Sue Carol Hodgen, age 81, of Remsen, Iowa, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2025, at Bavarian Meadows in Remsen, surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, IA with Father Timothy Pick officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen. Visitation with family present will be 4-7:00 p.m. Monday, there will be a parish rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. Visitation will resume 1 hour prior to the funeral on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Sue was born on May 18, 1944, in Spencer, Iowa, to Freddie and Virginia (Munger) Ganger. Her father, a decorated D-Day C-47 Air Force Pilot serving in World War II, learned of her birth through a letter from the Red Cross.

Sue grew up in Peterson, Iowa, attending Peterson Community Schools and graduating from Sioux Valley Community High School in Linn Grove in 1962. She pursued her calling in nursing at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, earning her R.N. degree in 1965. That same year, she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Hodgen, on a blind date arranged by her fellow nursing classmates from Remsen.

Sue began her career at Cherokee Mental Health Institute, where she worked for 35 years. Her care extended beyond nursing as she was known for making blueberry pancakes for residents on Saturdays and bringing homemade cookies and candies during the Christmas Holiday.

On August 21, 1965, Sue and Bob were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen. Together, they made their home on a Farm south of Remsen where they raised their family.

Sue was a proud member of Catholic Daughters and Christian Mothers. One of her cherished memories was shaking hands with Pope Paul VI during a trip with Bob to Rome and the Vatican.

She and Bob loved to travel, especially on cruises to the Caribbean and family 4thof July trips to Okoboji. Sue found joy in cooking, with spaghetti and chili among her specialties. Shopping and jewelry making were other avid hobbies. Sue had a passion for making fleece tie blankets, which she lovingly gifted hundreds to those in need of comfort. She and the Bavarian Meadows Residents recently donated blankets to the LeMars Troop C of the 1-113 Cavalry Regiment in the Iowa National Guard. Sue treasured her friends and often shared fond memories of their time together. Known affectionately as “Grandma Sue,” she cherished being surrounded by her family and they enjoyed her sense of humor. Her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren held a special place in her big heart.

Sue is survived by her three children: Linda (Dean) Schroeder of Remsen, Doug (Denise) Hodgen of Apple Valley, MN, and Pamela (David) Pottebaum of Bondurant, IA; eight grandchildren: Bryan (Crystal) Schroeder, Kimberly (Cam) Kuchel, Camden Schroeder (Kelsey Feuerhelm), Nick Hodgen (Lauren Heyer), Allison (Kyle) Connelly, Austin (Kaitlin) Pottebaum, Madison Pottebaum, and Derek (Narinsu) Pottebaum; and nine great-grandchildren: Cooper, Brynnlee, and Drake Schroeder; Easton, Joanna, and Natalie Kuchel; and Aubree, Sadie, and Kollyns Pottebaum.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bob; her parents, Freddie and Virginia Ganger; her sister, Nancy Farrington; her grandson, Robert Mark Schroeder; and her great-grandson, Wilson Jeffrey Dean Kuchel.

Casket bearers will be Austin Pottebaum, Bryan Schroeder, Nick Hodgen, Derek Pottebaum, Camden. Schroeder, Cam Kuchel.