Susan Kay Ponder

Susan Kay Ponder, 66, of Jefferson City, MO passed away on February 22nd, 2015, at home surrounded by her loving family. Susan was born January 24th 1949, in Jefferson City to Paul and Georgia (Burke) Schulte. She graduated from Helias Catholic High School in 1967 and received her Bachelors of Arts in Education from the University of Missouri in 1970. She received her Masters in Education Administration from Lincoln University. She was united in marriage on June 8, 1979, in Jefferson City to Roger Ponder. Susan held a special connection with the St. Joseph Cathedral School, with her father having helped build the school in 1959. She was a member of the inaugural class as a 6th grader in 1960. She accepted her first teaching job out of college in 1971 at St. Joseph's and received the first Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993. Susan became the first assistant principal of the school in 2002. Her 43 years of service to the St. Joseph Cathedral School was never just a job, but a calling to serve her community, her faith and to help students actively grow in their education as well as their relationship with God. Susan volunteered in many ways at St. Joseph Cathedral church, namely as a Greeter, Eucharistic Minister, and during the annual Christmas Bazaar. Additionally, Susan was nominated for the Zonta Club's Woman of Achievement Award in 2012. She was very active with her bridge clubs and loved spending time with friends. However, Susan's most cherished roles were as a wife, mother and grandmother. The time spent with her family, whether through vacations on the beach, sharing a book on tape, listening to choir performances, or cheering at figure skating competitions were treasured. Her moments with her 11 grandchildren were beloved, never wanting to miss a moment, big or small. Susan is survived by her loving husband, Roger; one sister, Nancy (Bernie) Upschulte, Jefferson City; two sons, Craig (Ann) Ponder, Jefferson City; and Tim Ponder, Iberia; and two daughters, Beth (Jeremy) Morris, Jefferson City; and Jessie (Marshall) Abney, Warrensburg. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Ashton, Madison, Cameron, Shannon, Kelsey and Courtney Ponder; Macy, Tyler and Ellie Morris; and Collins and Harper Abney. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Cathedral on Wednesday, February 25th from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, February 26, 2015, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki officiating. With Susan's strong belief in education and the love of her grandchildren, in lieu of flowers, contributions to the grandchildren's college education and a memorial toward St. Joseph School would be welcome and can be made through PayPal at susanpondermemorial@gmail.com. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.