Suzanne "Sue" Tinsley Hall - LHS Class of 1957

Suzanne "Sue" Hall passed away on January 7, 2023, with her family at her side.

She was born on Flag Day, June 14th in 1939 and raised in Leavenworth, Kansas. She graduated from Leavenworth High School , the University of Kansas and Kansas State Teachers’ College with her BS and Masters Degrees.

She married Kent D. Hall in 1962. They have two children, Sheri (Curt) Johnson of Mt. Pleasant, WI and Doug (Kathleen) Hall of Everett, WA. She also has grandchildren, Jessica and Kaitlin Hall, and Colin, Michael and Kaitlin James of Washington.

She is survived by her sister, Marge Tinsley Black (LHS Class of 1954) of Arizona and brother, Tom (Deborah) Tinsley (LHS Class of 1964)  of Colorado. Also, in- laws, Mollie (Nelson) Allen, CJ (Ann) Hall, Mark Hall, Morris (Debbie) Hall and 14 wonderful nieces and 16 nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Herb Tinsley of Leavenworth, KS; sisters, Ruth Tinsley and Shirley Lynch (Dennie), of Joplin, MO and four sisters-in-law of Missouri, grandparents and aunts and uncles of Kansas.

Her family was her greatest pleasure in life followed by her love of teaching, especially teaching science. They enjoyed traveling during their breaks to the Caribbean and South America.

She also had a passion for cheering on the Green Bay Packers and University of Kansas basketball as well as watching the summer Olympics and playing bridge.

She taught Science Methods at the University of Kansas and UW-Stevens Point. She also taught upper grades in Kansas and Stevens Point, mostly at Kennedy and Bannach Elementary Schools. She also taught six years with the “Indian Teacher Corps” on four reservations in WI, and summers at the University in Akron, Ohio.

She was a Polymer Ambassador for the American Chemical Society and traveled throughout the USA to National Science Teacher conventions to teachers on how to implement polymers into their curriculums.  When she was diagnosed with level 4 colon-liver cancer and found that “God wasn’t ready for her yet”, she “refocused” and then taught “STEAM” and “College Days for Kids” at UWSP and at the MEAD Wildlife Center.

She and her husband, Kent, were highly involved with track and running and started SPARC (Stevens Point Area Running Club) in 1980 for athletes during the summer months. They were pleased area coaches joined in to help train the over 150 participants. They also liked to cheer on their daughter and son with cross country, track and football during their high school and college years.

Sue was also involved in many community activities. She was the President of the Junior Women’s Club and co-chairperson to raise money to build the Pfiffner Park band shell. She was the state Conservation chairperson and was on Gaylord Nelson’s first Earth Day Committee. She served on several board of Directors including the YMCA where she was the first female to receive the “Service to Youth” award, Mead Wildlife, Aldo Leopold Audubon, Stevens Point Park Board, BRAW (Bluebird Restoration Association of WI). She was active in the League of Women Voters, Circle of Hope, co-chairperson of Daffodil Days for the American Cancer Society, Girl Scout and Cub scout leader, “Christmas is for Children”, PEO, and Trinity Lutheran Church where she served as a Stephen Minister and Lay assistant.

Sue helped start the “Living with Cancer Support Group” at St. Michael’s in 1998 and was active in supporting cancer survivors.

Visitation will be held at Shuda Funeral Chapel - 3200 Stanley Street, Stevens Point - on Friday, January 13 from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM and again Saturday morning at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Memorial services for Sue will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church - 1410 Rogers Street in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Rev. Ted Johanson will officiate the service.

Burial will be at the Mt. Muncie Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS, at the Tinsley family plot with her parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to: Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin – 2801 Hoover Road. Unit B, Stevens Point, WI 54481 and designated for the Aldo Leopold Audubon Society Fund.