Hannah Marie Wertzberger

Hannah Marie Wertzberger of Lubbock, Texas passed away on September 9, 2025, at the age of 39. Born on May 16, 1986, in Whittier, California to parents Debra and Geoff Wertzberger, Hannah was known from a very young age for her love for the people and world around her. She always had the most contagious smile: everybody who talked to her wound up feeling welcome, and she brought life and fun into every room she walked in.

Hannah graduated in 2009 from the University of North Texas with a degree in Kinesiology; in 2012, she began serving her beloved Lubbock community as a first responder — a responsibility she fulfilled passionately for the rest of her life. Her career started as an emergency medical dispatcher but before long she was in the field as an EMT, working that difficult selfless job and being the one who brought help, care, peace, and order to people on the worst days of their lives. By 2014 Hannah was a licensed certified paramedic.

During her time as a University Medical Center paramedic, she was a loyal member of the UMC EMS Honor Guard, ensuring that her fellow Lubbock first responders were paid proper respect through ceremonies, funerals, and memorial events. She traveled to Washington, D.C. to honor those in her profession who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Her heart seemingly never ran out of love, and she showed just as much care and commitment to every part of her life as she did with her EMS calling. During the last several years she had been a safe space for four foster children; she was an extremely loving and happy mother to her daughter Harper and was so proud when she started kindergarten just a few weeks ago.

Hannah is survived by a long list of people who love and miss her: daughter Harper Grace Pierce-Wertzberger; parents Debra and Geoff Wertzberger, of Goodyear, Arizona; sister Stephanie and brother-in-law Bobby Elliot, of Houston, Texas; brother Jim and sister-in-law Rachael Steward, of Boerne, Texas; brother Darrell Steward, of Howe, Texas and Beca Raynes. She also leaves behind a large number of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends, all of whom wish she hadn’t been taken from us so soon. Hannah was always the “fun aunt,” running around and having a good time with all the younger members of the family and cracking jokes with the older ones. There is a foot-tall stack of elementary school essays about her, each one answering the same prompt: “who is your hero?”

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Lake Ridge Memorial, 6025 82nd St. On Sunday September 14, Pastor Josh Stueve will officiate a memorial service at St John’s United Methodist Church located at 1501 University Avenue.

In Hannah’s honor, donations are invited to the National EMS Memorial Service.