Sue E. (Utterback) Hadley

Sue E. (Utterback) Hadley

Johnson Creek, WI

Sue E. (Utterback) Hadley, 80, died at her home in Johnson Creek, WI, surrounded by her family, on November 25, 2025.

Sue was born on July 31, 1945, at Sigourney Hospital to Willard “Pood” and Lora (Wilkening) Utterback. She graduated from Sigourney High School in 1964 and then spent two years at Central Missouri State University, where she double majored in vocal and instrumental music. Her mentor, Eugene Rousseau, invited her to follow him to Indiana University to further her musical pursuits. During this period, her cousin, Gordon Goeldner, introduced her to Carl Hadley, the love of her life, leading her to decide to return to Iowa.

After returning to Iowa, Sue and Carl married on June 17, 1967, at the Sigourney Methodist Church. They had two children, Douglas and Diana, who, along with Carl, brought immense joy and light into Sue’s life. However, her most important relationship was with her savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout her adult years, she traveled from church to church—sometimes alone, but mostly with Carl, Doug, and Diana—sharing her testimony and their family’s story of God’s love and what it can achieve if we surrender to His life-saving power. She also loved leading and taking part in various Bible studies and music leadership roles at different churches across Southeast Iowa.

In her adult years, Sue provided private vocal and piano lessons to many children in the Pekin-Packwood area and served as a teacher’s aide in the Pekin-Packwood Schools’ music department for several years. She also worked at Crystal Forrest in Fairfield, IA, until its closure, where she learned lampworking. After it closed, she established her own business, Hadley Glass, working from a shop out of her home, creating beautiful glass figurines, jewelry, and Christmas tree decorations.

In 2018, Carl and Sue relocated to Wisconsin to be closer to their daughter Diana and her family. While living in Wisconsin, Sue has remained active by volunteering at OneWay (Crossroads Church Kids Group), teaching music at Crossroads Daycare, and engaging in various Bible studies.

Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Lora (Wilkening) Utterback, her husband, Carl L. Hadley, her son, Douglas D. Hadley, her Grandson, Gabriel D. Hadley, her nephews, Mark Beach and Paul Clarahan, and her 2 sisters, Katie Lee Beach and Barbara Jean Clarahan.

Sue is survived by her daughter – Diana (Scott) Thomas and their children [Rylie (fiancé – Justin), Dylan & Duncan] of Johnson Creek, WI, daughter-in-law Michelle-(Douglas) and her children Luke & Blake of Deland, FL, Doug’s children – Lexie (Seth) Hadley of Des Moines, IA and Faith Hadley of Plainfield, IN, brother – Willard (Jan) Utterback Jr, Brother – Daniel (Gidget) Utterback, both of Sigourney, IA, brother-in-law Alan Beach (Katie Lee) of Utah, brother-in-law Pat (Barbara) Clarahan of Montrose, IA, brother-in-law Wayne (Kay) Hadley of Irving, TX, 2 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, many other family members and numerous dear friends.

Visitation: Friday, December 5, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Packwood with family present. Funeral service: Saturday, December 6, 2025 10:30 a.m. Frist Christian Church in Packwood with a meal and fellowship immediately following.

Please, in lieu of flowers it is the family’s wish that donations be made to the Pekin Community Schools Music Department or to Rainbow Hospice, 147 W Rockwell St, Jefferson, WI 53549. (Rainbow Hospice was instrumental in bringing our family great peace at the end of Gabe, Carl & Sue’s lives.)

Arrangements: Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney, IA.