Sue (Hadley) Ernstsen August 3, 1952 - January 3,2024

Sue Hadley Ernstsen peacfully returned home on January 3, 2024, in Salt Lake City due to natural causes. She was surrounded by her family and friends in the weeks leading up to her passing. Her loved ones remember her as kind, loving, protective, Christ-like, genuine, and giving. She will be deeply missed. Family was her everything. 

Born on August 3, 1952, in Astoria, Oregon, Sue was the oldest of four children to Clarence Dee Hadley and Marilynn Hadley. In her childhood, she relocated from Oregon to Salt Lake City, then to Cedar City, and later to Provo before returning annnd staying in Salt Lake City during her high school years. She attended and graduated from Highland High School, where she met the love of her life, Terry Ernstsen, during thier sophmore year. Sue was ann avid sports enthusiast. She played the violin in three high school plays, which Terry always looked forward to attending. Followwing high school, she completed Beauty School, worked in various hair salonns, and purched her first car--a yellow Mustang.

Sue and Terry married two years after high school and joined in on the adventure of building the family cabin inn Fruitland, a charished family retreat. She later found thier family home of 50 years inn East Millcreek, where they raised four beautiful children. They were sealed as a family for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family. She acted as a coach, refree, annd their biggest cheerleader in all of thier activities. She was a dedicated mother, involved in scouting and working jobs to support three of her children on thier missions. Sue was known for her elaborate scrapbooks, weekly care packages, and attending al significant events in her children's and grandchildren's lives.

An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sue served in various capacities, includinng several roles in Relief Society, notably on the compassionate service committee. She coached church ball for the young women and led emergency preparedness efforts in the stake, earning a reputation as the guru in that field. Sue was loved by many friends and she loved them.

After her kids were raised, Sue pursued a computer literacy certificate, allowwing her to get a position she wanted at the VA Hospital, where she worked diligently for 10 years. Her commitment, cheerful spirit, and organizational skills endeared her to the veterans, doctors, and colleagues. At retirement, she returned to her favorite role as a full-time grandma.

Sue's passions included gardening, quilting, canning, four-wheeling (affectionately called "motorcycle mama"), playing games and always capturing family memories through pictures. Known as the "mama bear," she was protective, loving, and always there for her family. Sue demostrated extraordinary talent and creativity through holiday parties, decorations, scavenger hunts, school projects, candy posters, designing her flower beds and garden, birthday cakes, and more. She always selflessly served with top notch effort and quality, expecting nothing in return.

Sue is survived by her husband Terry L. Ernstsen. Her children Wendy Flores (Paul), Brock Ernstsen (Kristi), Kristy Pedersen (Josh), and Bret Ernstsen (Kimber), 14 amazing grandkids and one great grandson, and her siblings-brother Scott Hadley (Cindy), sister Michelle Bills (Dave), and sister-in-law Bev Hadley. She is preceded in death by her parents Clarence Dee Hadley and Marilyn Hadley, her mother-in-law Ila Ernstsen, and her brother Mike Hadley.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jannuary 13,2024, at 11 a.m. at Canyon Rim 1st Ward (3100 E. 3000 S., SLC, UT 84109) There will be a viewing on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (3401 S. Highland Dr., Millcreek, Ut 84106) and on Saturday morning from 10-10:45 at the Canyon 1st Ward.