Susan A. Rosentrader: 1947 – 2009
Susan Rosentrader, 61, of rural Churubusco, died Friday, July 10, 2009, at home after battling cancer.
She was born in Lafayette on December 1, 1947 to Bruce and Helen (Padgett) Atkinson. She graduated from Paoli High School in 1965, Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 1969, and earned her master’s degree from Purdue in 1972.
She married Larry V. Rosentrader on December 23, 1972. She was foremost a teacher and mother. She was a mini 4-H leader for 18 years, a Master Gardener, and was active with the church including its food pantry.
Surviving are her husband Larry Rosentrader; three children Aaron (Rena) Rosentrader, Sarah (Matt) Furthmiller, and Rebekah (Nick) Petges; two grandchildren Andrew and Zachary Furthmiller; her parents Bruce and Helen Atkinson; four siblings Teresa (David) Shuman, Pam Brown, Mark (Amy) Atkinson, and Brian (Jennifer) Atkinson; and nephews and nieces.
Memorial services will be at 2 p. m. Sunday, July 19, 2009, at the Churubusco United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to the church food pantry.
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To leave an online condolence for the family in Mrs. Rosentrader’s memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
July 11th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
All our thoughts and prayers for the family. Susan was a strong person and left many memories for her family.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
It was greatly saddened when I leaned of Susan’s death. In the few years I have known her I have been fortunate to enjoy her company and talk with her. I found a wonderful energetic and bright person.
We are all diminished by no longer having her among us. We will certainly miss her.
The last few months have been very difficult for her and Larry and now she no longer has to be in constant pain.
May God care for her as she has cared for many others.
Paul Moffett, Indianapolis
July 12th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
We are so sorry to hear about Susan’s passing. She is with Jesus and is so happy, free from cancer. She blessed our family greatly throughout the years and I am so glad that God brought her into our lives. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark & Margaret Sproles, Rachel, Shawn, Michael and Malachi
July 13th, 2009 at 6:34 am
I’m so sorry about Susan’s death. She was a loving and capable woman. I enjoyed getting to know her through Master Gardeners. I know you’ll miss her.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Susan’s family will be in my prayers during this difficult time. She was a joyful person and I will always remember her for her easy smile and friendly nature. Her enthusiasm for teaching was evident through her work with 4-H and the Master Gardeners. She will be missed by many.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Dear Sarah,Matt, and the whole Rosentrader Family – our hearts are tearful for your loss, but also joyous that Mom is now in our Lord’s hands and not suffering. She was a wonderful person to be with and shared her teaching abilities with all and gave so many of our children a tremendous head start in their 4-H careers! Please know that are thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this time of sorrow. with much love, friendship, and prayers,
Cody, Tim, Annette, Jared Lamle
July 13th, 2009 at 10:19 am
May God bless your family by bringing you comfort and grace during this time of grief. We continue praying for you.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:54 am
My sincere sympathy to the Rosentrader family. I always dealt with Susan while covering the 4-H fair for local media and she was a treasure.
Viv Sade
July 13th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Larry and Family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
May God bless each of you.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Larry and family,
Our sympathy to all of you. Susan was a wonderful person. She always had a smile and was willing to help in any way she could. She will be missed by many. You will be in our prayers for God’s strength during this hard time.
Larry and Kathy Shively
July 13th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. I will continue to uphold all of you in prayer.
Sue Ann McAvoy (Rebekah’s co-worker)
July 13th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
You and your family have our sympathy, Rebekah. We’ll keep you and your family in our prayers– Penny and Kevin
July 13th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
What a great friend and mentor Susan was to our family in 4-H. We have many cherished memories of all the mini meetings. And as a new 4-H leader 15 years ago, she patiently answered my countless questions. Her enthusiasim for all things 4-H was contagious. We are so sorry for your loss, and we will miss her greatly. What a blessing to know that she is with her Lord and Savior free from pain and suffering. Someday we will have glorious reunions in heaven! Know that you are all in our prayers. Love, Dan and Lori Miller, Josh, Katie, Ben, Becca and David
July 13th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
My heart aches for the Rosentrader family. Susan was a special person helping develope all of those mini 4-Her’s. She loved to help all of us kids at the fair. She was always so much fun to be around and a wealth of knowledge. She is already greatly missed.
Michele Miller
July 14th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Sympathy to the Rosentraders,
Susan’s involvement with the 4-H program will never be forgotten. She guided and helped many including our own children and our granddaughter. Her total community awareness and involvement made her a special person. So many children have benefitted through the years with her teaching at the schools and also with 4-H. Please know that she will be sadly missed by many, many people and especially in the coming week, she will be thought of lots of time. Prayers and comfort to you all.
Mike and Janet Johnson
July 14th, 2009 at 10:05 am
To the family,
Our hearts ache for all of you. Susan was a wonderful person. But you already know that. She gave so much of herself for her family, her church and her 4-H family. She was a tremendous help when I became a 4-H Leader 11 years ago. Her knowledge and enthusiasm was contagious! Susan gave both my kids a beautiful start to 4-H. Susan was also an excellent role model. She was always giving and caring. I will never forget her smile. She had such compassion for those who were hurting. She was there for us with her heart and words of encouragement when we unexpectedly lost our husband and Dad (Dean Hoffman). Its so hard to say goodbye to those we love and have touched our lives. Susan touched many, many lives. We can rejoice that she is now in Heaven. We thank you her family, for giving so unselfishly in sharing this dynamic woman with all of us! We are all better people having had Susan influence us. May God be with you now and always. May he surround you with love and peace. And may he give all of you the strength you need to get you through your loss.
Karen, Jordan and Michaela Hoffman
July 14th, 2009 at 10:44 am
LARRY & FAMILY WE ARE SADDENED TO HEAR ABOUT SUSAN SHE WAS SUCH A GOOD MENTOR TO ALL THE KIDS IN 4-H, CHURCH. WE WERE SO BLESSED TO HAVE HER AS A FRIEND. SUSAN WILL BE MISSED. MY PRAYERS ARE THAT ARE GOD WILL GIVE YOU COMFORT THROUGH THIS SAD TIME AND FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH PEACE.
GEORGE & MARY DAFFORN
AMBER (DAFFORN) REED
July 14th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
My Deepest Sympathy to Mrs. Rosentrader Family.
Mrs. Rosentrader was always so Good to my Boys while in school. She cracked the whip when needed and gave loving tender care when also needed. She was a GREAT teacher and Special Lady. She will so be missed. Hold on to your memories, and let them guide you during this time of sadness.
Steve, Sheryl, Jacob, and Tyler Hackett
July 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Sarah, Matt, Andrew, and Zachary,
We celebrate with you now that your mother and grandmother is now happy and well at the side of Jesus. We also sympathize with you in your great loss. With many prayers, Michelle and Todd
July 14th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
My thoughts go out to the Rosentrader family. Susan was a great leader and I enjoyed my time with her both as a mini 4-Her and through my 10 years in the 4-H program. Susan will be missed.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Sending my sympathy to the Rosentrader family. I was Susan’s helper at Faith Christian Academy for 2 years. Susan was a very caring person. She will be in my prayers Sharon Dollarhite
July 15th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
To all the family,
Susan sure will be missed. I want you to know that you guys are in our thoughts and prayer. Susan will be missed in all the things she has done with the kids in mini 4-H including me and my daughter all the times she rode with my mom to all the sports games and just being like a mother to me and supporting us in all we did no matter how we did it. She was a awesome teacher, person and mother. Just know that we are thinking of you all.
Love
Kathy Teegardin
Denise Teegardin-Davis
and Andrea and Mya
July 15th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Larry, we learned of your loss today and am so sorry. Susan was always a warm and smiling face among a bunch of grizzled old blacksmiths. Her laughter, smile and warm charm will be sorely missed by all that knew her. You and yours will be in our prayers.
Norm & Laura Gable
July 16th, 2009 at 8:25 am
We will miss our chats with Susan and seeing her on her walks. She was so interested in learning and willing to share by teaching. She always had an insightful opinion. We will miss her.
We are in Ontario and will also miss the memorial service. However, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care, Eric & Mary
July 16th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Larry and family: Susan was a member of our Paoli High School Class of 1965. She was friendly and was liked by everyone and always participated in our class projects and clubs. We all enjoyed our school years with Susan. I last saw Susan a couple of months ago when she came to church in Paoli with Bruce and Helen. I talked with her briefly at that time. Even then, after all she had been through, she was her happy, joyful self. She will be greatly missed. Please accept my condolences and those of her Classmates of 1965. Janis Warriner Easterday.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
All of us down here on the Southern branch of the Atkinson clan are greatly saddened to hear of Susan’s passing. All these letters show she was a wonderful person who lived a very giving life. As long distance cousins in Georgia we did not get to see her often, but do remember her fondly. Your family is in our prayers.
Debbie (Atkinson) Montgomery
July 17th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Larry, I am sorry to hear about Susan. It was always a pleasure to talk to the both of you while you and take care of her while you were at the hospital (St. Vincent Indpls). I will always remember the honey!!! God Bless you and your family!
July 17th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
To the family of Susan,
Just to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Susan was always smiling and laughing during our times together at Churubusco Elementary. She loved her family and touched everyone that she met. She is in a loving place with her Lord now and at peace. Hopefully you will get peace also.
Jodi Stangland
July 18th, 2009 at 1:08 am
I was so honored to be part of Susan’s care.Thank-You Larry for including me and welcoming me into your home.Susan showed herself to be a courageous and strong willed woman as I knew her.She will be remembered fondly,and with love.With Love and affection,Megan and Kate Cooper
July 18th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Rosentrader Family:
I enjoyed getting to know your mom as we both did substitute teaching at Churubusco Elementary. She always had a smile and a good word for the students.
I know you will miss her deeply.
We send our thoughts and prayers-
Carol Foor Watson
Matt Foor & family
Marci (Foor) Reynolds & family
July 18th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Dear Family of Susan Rosentrader,
I have fond memories of time spent with Susan, and of her smiles, laughter, and encouragement. She touched many lives in her church, the school and community. She truly loved her family. May you treasure the memories of her life as wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and teacher. She wss truly a gift from God. Clarence and I pray for God to fill your cup of life and love to overflowing. May God provide you with comfort and healing.
Ruth Resler
July 19th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Dear Rosentrader family,
I wanted to send my condlences to your family as you mourn the loss of Susan. I will always remember her smiling face when she substituted at school. She was always one of my favorites. Take comfort in knowing that she is resting in the arms of our Lord. I’ve lost both of my parents and though it is never easy, time will heal your painful hearts. Hold on to the great memories and share your stories often.
God Bless,
Shannon England-Young
July 20th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Dear Rosentrader family,
So sorry to hear the passing of Susan. We taught a lot together at Churubusco Elementary School. We laughed, worked hard, and shared our thoughts with one another. She subbed for me, on occasions, and filled-in quite well. Susan will be missed. She’s presently out of pain and resting peacefully. Hold on to all the good times.
Love,
Judy Platt
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
When we initially heard that Mrs. Rosentrader was ill, my son and I were trying to decide what we could do for her. I mentioned to Joseph that we should send her a card. He said that Mrs. Rosentrader was his favorite teacher (at Faith Christian Academy)and if it wasn’t for her, he would not read or write as well as he can for a nine year old. I told him he needed to write that in the card to encourage her. He then said “we should send her money, too. I’m sure she could use it or maybe buy something that would make her happy.” A day had passed, since we tearfully told Joe she had moved to heaven, when Joe started to pray for her as he had been at our meals. He said he guessed he didn’t need to do that any more. We told him the family would love the prayers just like when his Uncle Mike went to be with Jesus exactly one year before. That is what he does now.
We are so grateful for the scholastic cornerstone she placed in our sons life.
We are praying for you,
Doug, Annette, Joseph, Hannah & Rachel Bone
July 27th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Dear Rosentrader Family,
I wish to extend my condolences at the loss of your wife and mother. Watching a loved one die of cancer is not easy. I hope that knowing she is no longer suffering will bring you some comfort.
I have fond memories of Susan substituting for me. She also brought me cockroaches from Purdue for my students to study. Susan was always eager to teach through 4-H and in the classroom.
Susan always spoke so proudly of her family. May God give you strength and comfort as you move forward without her.
Yours,
Helen Laws
July 28th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Larry and Family
It was such a pleasure to have known Susan and to have been her neighbor a few years back. We will always treasure the times we came to visit the goats and kittens. Susan always made us feel welcome and seemed to enjoy sharing our visits with us. She was truly a kind hearted woman and the blessings she shared with those she came in contact with will forever be cherished.
God Bless you all
Patty, Rachel, Jeremy and McKinzie Schmidt/Brice