Susan "Sue" Kay VanWassenhove

Susan “Sue” Kay VanWassenhove, 67, of Papillion, NE, formerly of Kewanee, passed away peacefully the afternoon of December 26, 2025 at Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy in Omaha, NE surrounded by her daughters after a courageous battle with colon cancer.  

Born on December 16, 1958 in Kewanee, IL, the daughter of Eugene and Marilou (Jenkins) VanWassenhove. She graduated from Kewanee High School in 1977 and continued her education at Moline Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1980.

Sue dedicated her life to caring for others as a Registered Nurse for 45 years. Most recently, she was honored to be a CHI Health Midlands Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation nurse since 1997. She thought the world of her coworkers and patients throughout her career. She dedicated her life to Cardiac Rehab after her mother passed away of a heart attack Christmas morning 1974. Sue’s father also passed away on December 26, 2014. She was delighted to learn she’d made it through Christmas day and would soon be welcomed by her parents and sister in Heaven. 

Sue is survived by her daughters, Jessica Hutcheson of Omaha, NE; and Ashley Hutcheson of Council Bluffs, IA. She is also survived by her siblings Barb (Jim) Gerard, Mike (Monica) VanWassenhove, Kathy (Terry) Moon, Ted (Nancy) VanWassenhove, Paul VanWassenhove, Peggy Costenson, Dan VanWassenhove, Rob VanWassenhove, Rick (Ann) VanWassenhove, Phil (Susie) VanWassenhove, and Chuck VanWassenhove; along with endless nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Marilou VanWassenhove; her sister, Bernie (VanWassenhove) Johnson; and nephew, Sam VanWassenhove. 

Her greatest happiness came from being a mother, and her love for her daughters and family knew no bounds. As the matriarch, Sue’s memory will continue to be the glue that holds the family together. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2026 at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee. Celebrant will be Fr. Mark DeSutter, Sue’s cousin. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 1 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with recitation of the rosary at 6:45 p.m. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Council Bluffs, IA. A Celebration of Life will also be held in Council Bluffs, IA in the coming months with a date and location to be determined. 

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