Sueann Edna Doepner

Sueann Edna (Schiefer) Doepner was called to her heavenly home on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, surrounded by her family, after battling an advanced and aggressive endometrial cancer. Sue, age 68, was born on June 1, 1955 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Lester and Edna Schiefer. She grew up on the family farm in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Sue graduated from Frankenmuth High School in 1973. Her Christian faith was cultivated at an early age, as her family attended St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and School. This led her to attend Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University, Chicago), receiving her Bachelor’s degree in 1977. It was in college that Sue met her husband, Mark “Nate.” They wed 44 years ago on June 30. Sue spent her life serving others, and she did it joyfully. She especially cared for God’s littlest children and their families, always pointing them to Jesus. Sue taught in various K-4 classrooms in Florida and Houston before moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana. She played a role in starting the preschool in 1990 at the church she attended, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, serving as a teacher. In addition to teaching, she became the preschool director in 1995. Sue added full-time childcare for infants through school-age children to the preschool in 2008. After 38 years of Lutheran education ministry, she retired. Even in retirement, Sue felt called to serve as the early childhood education consultant through the LCMS Indiana District. Sue’s faith in Jesus as her Lord and Savior was her top priority in life. She displayed kindness and selflessness to everyone who was blessed to know her. Sue was a dedicated leader on a mission to share God’s love with her family, friends, and community. She was a loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her hobbies included spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading, playing the piano, traveling, and gardening. Sue was deeply loved and cherished, and she will be missed greatly. Surviving are her husband, Mark "Nate" Doepner; children, Mark (Lesley) Doepner, Andrea (Jared) Scherer, and Meredith (Joe) Tourney; grandchildren, Nic, Evan, Decker, Macy, Tatum, and Jack; and siblings, Pauline (Bob) Short, Vern (Debbie) Schiefer, Char (Craig) Hillman, and Chris (Art) Steiber. Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 6318 West California Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818 with visitation beginning at 1:30 PM at the church. Visitation for Sueann will also be Friday, January 26, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, 6424 Winchester Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46819. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Preferred memorials may be made to Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church and The Lutheran Schools Partnership. Please visit www.klaehnfahlmeltonfunerals.com to leave condolences.