Surrounded by a family who loves her deeply, Sue Cording, 76, of Galena, IL, passed away in her home on July 20, 2023.

Deanna Sue Cording was born in Dubuque, IA to Wilma Ryan Pogeman and Wilbur Pogeman on January 11, 1947. She grew up on the family farm in rural Scales Mound.

On December 28, 1968, Sue married her high school sweetheart, Larry Cording. Together they shared nearly 55 years of love and adventures.

Sue began her teaching career at Galena Elementary School when it was still housed at the old high school on Prospect Street. After two years, she transferred to Galena High School where she taught for 31 years. In addition to traditional English classes, Sue created numerous new classes and activities for the Galena students. Working with Steve Repp, she initiated the annual tradition of having students research Galena history at the Galena Public Library. With Keith Hesselbacher, who taught Science at GHS at the time, she created the Galena River Project. Sue loved her students and was dedicated to giving them the skills that they needed to succeed in life.

After her retirement in 2007, she continued to teach classes at Highland Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College and the University of Dubuque.

In addition to her family and her career, Sue was an active member of our community. She served on the Galena City Council, was a President of the League of Women Voters and a member of the Jo Daviess County Conservation Foundation. She was a founding member of the Galena Writers Guild and the Galena Book Club.

With a strong Christian faith, Sue was active in local churches all of her life. Most recently, she and Larry are members of the Lord Of Love Church in Galena. Sue and all of her family are most grateful to Pastor Robin Luckey who brought so much love and grace to the family in the last months of Sue’s life.

Survivors include her husband Larry Cording of Galena, her son Troy (Becky) Cording of Peshtigo, WI and her daughter Kimberly (Doug) Kuhlman of Allentown, PA, her grandchildren: Alex Cording, Jacob Cording, Aaron (Megan) Kuhlman and Justin Kuhlman, Koral (Kyle) Eddings: great-grandchildren DJ, Averie, and Berkley Eddings; her sisters Cynthia (Bill) Cover of Wildwood, MO and Peggy Stortz of Galena, IL. She is also adored by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother-in-laws Les Stortz and Gary Cording.

A visitation will be held at Lord of Love Church at 219 Summit St. Galena, IL 61036 on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:30 pm and Friday, July 28, 2023 from 9:00 – 10:15 am.  A funeral service will follow at 10:30 am.  Burial will be at St. Johns in Guilford Township.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in her name to Lord of Love Church.

The Miller Funeral Home, of East Dubuque, is serving the family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©