Susie Anna Heindel Fernstaedt, age 96, formerly of Monroe, died on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 in West Salem. She was born on August 13, 1915 to Clarence and Alice (Hintz) Heindel in Gratiot Township, LaFayette County, on the Heindel homestead, where four generations were born and raised; she is the last of this generation. She attended and graduated from rural White School, Gratiot High School and Platteville State Teachers College. She taught rural school in LaFayette Co. prior to her marriage to Robert G. Fernstaedt on August 21, 1941 in Warren, IL. They were blessed with 2 children, son, Leon and daughter, Alice. They farmed in Wayne Township until 1961 when they bought Voegeli Hardware Store in Monticello, retiring from the Hardware Store in 1974. They moved to Monroe in 1966, when Susie worked for the Bahr's Variety Store and at St. Clare Hospital, in the surgical waiting area and was a receptionist in admissions. She moved to West Salem in 2002 to live with her son and daughter-in-law. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church and Ruth Circle in West Salem.

Surviving are her son, Leon (Jean) Fernstaedt of West Salem; daughter, Alice Tschudy of New Glarus; grandchildren, Jodi (Bruce) Thompson of Weston, Jill (Eric) Iliff of West Salem, Ryan (Julie) Fernstaedt of Weston, Terry Tschudy and Todd (Shannon) Tschudy of New Glarus; 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents; husband, Robert; brother, Edward; sisters, Viola Homb and Fannie Stabenow.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012, at 1:30 P.M. at the Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, Monroe, with Pastor Don Iliff officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe at a later date. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 12:30 until the time of service at the funeral home. A memorial fund is being established in Susie's memory.