Susan Hammerle

A brave and extraordinary soul, Susan Schryver Hammerle, 54 years young, passed peacefully from this life and entered the presence of that God who gave her life and many other family and friends.  Susan began a courageous battle with Giloblastoma, a rare brain cancer, in December 2010.  She has shown those around her what it truly means to endure to the end, to be strong and to make no excuses.  She worked full time while going through chemotherapy and radiation, just to give cancer ‘the bird’ and let it know it couldn’t slow her down.  She has a way with people that makes them feel comfortable, welcome and heard.  She took time with each individual to get to know them and made friends instantly.  She is tough not to love.  She is extremely tolerant.  She showed us her true grit.  One of the most coveted traits about Susan is her ability to perceive your thoughts and emotions.  She was the busiest and most stressed woman in the world but you’d never know it with how freely she gave of her time, money, and energy.  Her smile is electric.  She has the best calves, all a product of walking up the stairs on her tip-toes ;)

She was born in Farmington, Utah on April 29, 1959.  Her childhood was filled with rich memories of riding bikes and picking onions with her best friends; memories that she spoke of even into her adult life.  She grew up in Kaysville where she attended Davis High School.  She married Fritz Hammerle in 1977.  They gave life to three beautiful children, Nichole, Nick and Emily.  Her children are her world.  She worked for 13 years at the Bionetics Corporation where she met and kept many close friends.  She coordinated the celebration of each coworker’s birthday the first Friday of every month, where she provided a special cake and whipped cream for all to enjoy.  She seemed to be the glue that held their lab together.  Thank you to those at her company that worked with her as she took time off for hospital appointments and unexpected illness.

A special and generous thank you must be given to each individual who helped take care of Susan.  For 10 months, she received 24-7 care with no paid help. You come to truly understand how we are the Lord’s hands in situations like these.  The manner in which Susan passed to the other side is a testimony of the caliber of person Susan was.  So many people wanted to help and serve her because she lived her life in the cause of the Master and ‘went about doing good’.  She was able to stay and pass where she was the most comfortable, her home, all because of these ‘angels among us’.  Another thank you and recognition goes out to the staff at Rocky Mountain Hospice who took care of Susan like their own.  Thank you especially to Robert, Amber and Ali who made this difficult transition for all of us a little more bearable.  Thank you to the team at The Huntsman Cancer Institute who helped with Susan’s treatment despite her stubbornness.

Susan is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and continues her work on the other side of the veil.  She enjoyed many years as a Primary worker where she instilled in the children a love and reverence for the Savior Jesus Christ and took the responsibility of teacher as a great honor.  She believed in the children and hoped to prepare them for the future with a belief in God.

Susan is survived by her precious mother Judy, Aunt Ellen, brother Dirk, sister and brother-in-law Jackie and Ray, devoted children Nickolas and Emily, son-in-law Jeff Wadman, and many other nieces and nephews.  Susan is preceded in death by her father, brother, and beloved daughter Nichole.  A joyous reunion has occurred for it has been 15 years since she has seen her little girl.  May we all see Susan’s life as a reason to resolve to do more, to be more and live more.  And remember that actions speak louder than words. Susan is compassion personified; a brave and extraordinary soul.