Susan and I were hired as teachers at Ed-Co about the same time, though her assignment was the youngest students and mine students finishing their school years. Her reputation for skill in the classroom was well-known throughout the school system.  She was admired among us colleagues for her no-nonsense manner and dedication to her students.  We are all better teachers and persons for having known and worked with her.  My sincerest condolences to Rebecca and family.

I first met Mrs. Elledge at kindergarten round up. She had the warmest smile and instantly you knew the love she felt for her students. Our son was in her class. She was kind and patient and truly loved to teach children. She kept tabs on all her kids as they moved up through the grades. When our son graduated he made sure she was sent an invite and she of course came to his party.  She will be greatly missed and we send our deepest sympathies and condolences to Rebecca and family.

Rebecca, Sending our sympathy to you and your family. You took wonderful care of your mother through difficult times. God Bless you. Susan was a remarkable person and like many others, she left an impact on my family and children as well. Susan and Barb were the kindergarten "dream team". I was in Susan's first or second class she ever taught, and our daughter Madalyn was in her last....how special that was. (30 or 31 years apart) I remember the Reminder doing a story on it when she retired.  Hugs to you.

My condolences to Susan's family. Mrs. Ellege was my first teacher.  I was soo shy and didn’t want to leave my mom to go to kindergarten.  I cried alot!  But by end of year,  I was crying because I didn’t want to leave her!  She was very special and I am sure there are more stories like this! 

I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts into words on this one.

In 2003 I was a naive 23 year old who thought she had the world by the string and the "perfect" life planned out.

I took a job at the Ed-Co district because it was geographically located where I thought life was leading me at the time.

The two kindergarten teachers at the time had been there "forever" and I would take over for Mrs. Seidel while the veteran Mrs. Elledge would be my partner.

To say I had big shoes to fill would be an understatement.

But, I could not have asked for a better person to share this huge undertaking with.

Susan was the epitome of a dedicated, compassionate, and capable educator.

My favorite was our "letter of the week" studies. We had so much fun picking out letter prizes, planning letter activities, and creating crafts designed around that letter. Those were some of my most favorite times teaching.

Life, meaning our personal lives, were not what either one of us had planned during those 3 years I was at Ed-Co, but we were there for each other and truly bonded. I was honored to plan her retirement party.

I have tried to find Susan many times over the years and even try to send Christmas cards to her, with no avail.

So with tears streaming down my face, I hope she knows what impact she had on me.

And I hope she knows that it all worked out in the end. I found the true love of my life and the path my life was to take...and I STILL love Kindergarten.

PS-I'm sure Heaven is filled with Diet Pepsi and a special place for Kindergarten teachers. In fact, my gma, Mrs. Larson could probably swap stories with you!

My first memory of Susan (Mrs. Elledge) is the day I met with her for kindergarten  round up. My son Zach we entered the room and she told Zach to sit in the blue chair and I was to sit in the red chair. Well Zach sat in the red. She proceeded to tell him she told him to sit in the blue chair to which I said its fine I'll sit in the blue.  With that she firmly said that's not what I told him to do and in my classroom I'm in charge. I instantly loved her and knew that's exactly what my son needed. Both of my sons.  She truly had the best classroom with to many great ways for all those growing minds.  Building and Mothering and all those life lessons wrapped into that classroom.  Rebecca and all of you are in my prayers. 

This is Debbie (Rowell) Gleason.  My Dad was Betty Keck's older brother. I am so very sorry even as there is comfort in knowing Susan has found peace in a better place.  Too much of my life has been spent at the edge of heartbreaking struggle by those who are truly special, and Susan Elledge was truly special. 

Our girls had Susan as their Kdg teacher, and they also send their sympathy. My Sue, who was likely the most challenging student your mother ever had, is so deeply upset that doctors didn't somehow fix her.  Sue absolutely loved Mrs. Elledge.

A number of years back the Edgewood Reminder asked Ed-Co seniors who their best or favorite teacher was. Amazingly, a sizable percentage said "Mrs. Elledge" even after twelve years had passed! Your mother set the stage for our Susan to succeed as the first Level III student ever taught in the district. On that first day, Mrs. Elledge told the Kdg class that they were there to learn numbers and letters and that our Sue was there to learn how to behave. And that all of them needed to help her. For thirteen years they did.

Our family owes Susan Elledge more than perhaps she ever knew. But she knows now. We send our love.

Sent 1m ago