Susan Hertzke (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Susan Marie (Rahto) Hertzke was born on November 15th 1956 on Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to Richard and Mary Rahto.
Richard was a civilian, but did contract work for the military, so they hopped around the country, living in Minnesota, New Mexico, and California before returning to Jewell, Iowa, where Richard and Mary grew up.
Susie and her brother Kenny had a lot of good stories about growing up in Lompoc, California, and the mischief they got into.
After High School, Susie attended fashion merchandising school in Dallas, Texas. She was in the fashion business when she decided one day that she was never going to make a difference in this world selling dresses. She wanted to teach. So she moved back to Iowa to attend Iowa State University and got her teaching certificate.
Susie married Scott Hertzke on September 18th 1982. He only had to propose to her three times. Finally she agreed. She told her Mom she was going to marry a turkey farmer that didn’t have two nickels to rub together. Mary about had a coronary right there. It took her about 15 years, but she finally came around to thinking maybe he was good enough for Susie. Susie said many times it was the best decision she ever made, and she felt so fortunate to have him. He will tell you the same about her. Susie made a rule early on in their marriage, Friday night is “Date Night”. It was a great idea and kept the two close, even with the crazy busy lives they lead. So Susie would say to all you newlyweds, ”Don’t stop dating when you get married!"
Her first teaching job was in Radcliffe Iowa, teaching fourth graders. She always made it fun for the kids and they loved her. She was having as much fun as they were. She signed that first contract for a whopping $12,000, pretty exciting back then!
She loved those kids and really was making a difference! So much for selling dresses, right?
She decided to go back and get her Masters Degree in Counseling. She got it from Drake University. She worked with Learning Disabled kids for a while after that. Then back into a regular classroom.
She brought Timothy Brian into the world on March 7, 1978, and Sara Elizabeth on October 30th 1983. Those two brought Susie many proud moments, and maybe a few headaches. They argued back and forth about which one was going to give Susie a grandbaby first. Tim beat Sara to it by three months, and now we have Juniper and Iris, both two years old, Grandma’s pride and joy for sure!
Susie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 at 47 years old. The doctors hit her hard with chemo and radiation because she was so young. They got it under control and she was clean for seven plus years. As will happen, it came back in her bones in 2011. Dr. Leo and his associates at the Cancer Center have been unbelievable, so dedicated, hardworking, so smart, and uplifting. They did an awesome job of treating her cancer with the best possible treatments with the least side effects. They show up every day and treat their patients with respect and compassion, knowing that the smile on their face, positive outlook, and a little wink of the eye make a big difference. We all need something to smile about and especially there. We just can’t thank them all enough!
Susie is survived by her husband Scott, daughter Sara Hertzke-Hill, son in law Chris Hill, granddaughter Iris Hill, son Tim Hertzke, granddaughter Juniper Hertzke, mother Mary Rahto, aunt and uncle Jim and Sylvia Rahto, and her nephews and neices.
Susie is preceded in death by her father Richard Rahto, her mother in law Sharon Hertzke, and brother Kenny Rahto.
God’s love flowed through Susie like a mighty river. She spilled her love over everyone she touched with her ever-present smile, positive energy, and uninhibited laughter. Many of you have felt that love, God Bless You.
A memorial will be held for Susie at 11:00 am, on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at the Butler Funeral Home Chapel, in Bolivar.
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