Susan Helen (Engels) Vandeloecht

Susan Helen (Engels) Vandeloecht (70), passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 22, 2023, at Boone Hospital, in her adopted hometown of Columbia, MO.  Born in Mineral Point WI, to Thomas and Gerda Engels, she was the third of five children welcomed into a community that she forever called her first home. 

On June 9, 1979, she finally convinced the love of her life, Kenneth F Vandeloecht, of Steedman, MO to become her husband. Part of that agreement involved Sue traveling across America (ALL OF IT) as a pianist and singer entertaining loyal fans as the Deltones, M.O.R.E., and finally just as Ken and Sue Duo.  Their loyal following never ended.  After his battles with various forms of cancer, Ken’s death in 2011 was a loss that affected the remainder of Sue's years.  Some losses are so profound, we never fully recover, we simply go on.

Following her 21 year career as an entertainer, Susan earned a masters degree in education at the University of Missouri and re-invented herself as "Mrs V" in the Columbia, MO school district for almost thirty years.  Among her most prized possessions are notes from former students expressing gratitude for the tough love she showed them during what she called the "formative years of my little darlins"

Good health was not Sue's friend in recent months.  Her death was precipitated by a fall at home, resulting in a trip to the Boone Hospital ER in the morning hours of July 21.  She received skilled and compassionate care in the hours preceding her death from the dedicated staff at Boone Hospital.  Please remember to thank all medical staff who didn't leave the medical field during the pandemic.  The stress and pressure they have endured has been beyond comprehension to those of us who haven't worked there.

A visitation and memorial service will be held on July 31, 2023, at the Park Lane Community Church, 11700 North Route B in Hallsville MO.  Visitation from 11:00 to 12:50 with a memorial service at 1:00.  Lunch will be served following the service.

If you would like to honor Sue's memory, please consider a donation to the Park Lane Church, or a charity of your choice.

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