Susan Jane Ward, 74, of Pittsburg, Kansas passed away at 2:01 a.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Freeman West Hospital after a seven-month hospitalization and battle with a stomach illness and related complications.
She was born September 30, 1949, in Princeton, Indiana, the daughter of James and Evadean (Vaught) Gordon. She graduated from Reitz High School in Evansville, Indiana, Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and Ball State University where she received her Master's degree in Reading Education.
On November 27, 1971, she was united in marriage to Donald Earl Ward at Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church in Evansville, Indiana. They moved to Pittsburg in 1976.
Mrs. Ward taught thousands of students in elementary school classrooms at Lincoln Elementary, Westside Elementary, and George Nettels Elementary until her retirement in 2016.
She was a long-time member of Pittsburg Nazarene Church and cherished her place in that community, serving as a church board member for many years, a Sunday School teacher for children, and an enthusiastic and faithful volunteer for many roles and tasks both small and large. Her care for her family was her ultimate purpose and was unfailing and dependable in a way that evoked deep trust and security that we will carry with us through generations.
Susan was a remarkable woman whose quiet, faithful love, and care for others was enduring and unbreakable. Whether you met her once or were privileged to live your life as one of her close family or friends, she changed you with pure kindness and a genuine desire for your own good. Her unselfishness and generosity with her time and attention is an example for all of us who believe in living a good life. Whether you found her gardening on her hands and knees in her backyard, at the beach in the summer with her family, or quietly going about her weekly errands, she was the same, deeply respectful, humble, and caring woman. She will be deeply missed and also never fully gone because of who she was and what she gave us.
Survivors include her husband, Donald Ward of the home; a son, Christopher Ward and his wife, Jessica of Greensboro, North Carolina; a daughter, Jennifer Glenn and her husband, Jereme of Joplin, Missouri; a brother, Bruce Gordon and his wife, Sally of Indianapolis, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Annalise Ward, Benjamin Ward, Baron Zanetto, Johnathon Glenn, Jacob Glenn, Joshua Glenn, and Julie Glenn and many very precious friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents James and Evadean Gordon. She helped care for her mother daily in the final years of her mother's life until January 2023.
Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Pittsburg Nazarene Church with Pastor Kyle Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday (April 26) at Brenner Mortuary, where friends may come by after 11 a.m. Friday to sign the book. The family suggests memorials be given to Pittsburg Nazarene Church (PittNaz). These may be left at or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Online condolences may be left at www.brennermortuary.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.
