Susan Lynn Hagler
December 1, 1948 ¬– October 1, 2011
Susan ‘Jo’ Hagler, gifted with confidence tempered by patience and empathy, drew sustenance from the fruits of life as provided by family and friends, her profession and her leisure pursuits.
Although Jo was born in Santa Maria, CA in 1948, she was raised in Helena, and considered herself a ‘Montana Gal.’ She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Montana State University, Billings, in 1972. For the following 38 years she taught eighth grade social studies in the East Helena School District. She used a yearlong sabbatical in 1987 to earn a Master’s Degree in Education – Guidance and Counseling from Montana State University, Bozeman. As a teacher, Jo received enormous satisfaction by helping students realize their potential in developing and expanding their knowledge, skills and self-confidence. She was recognized as a “Distinguished Teacher” by the Helena Education Foundation.
Jo’s leisure pursuits included sewing, walking, swimming, cross-country skiing, canoeing, sailing, camping, and riding her ATV.
Jo’s was proceeded in death by her loving father, Don Hagler. Jo’s enthusiasm for life offers cherished memories shared by her loving husband Bruce Wise, her mother Eleanor, brothers Gary and Mark, sisters Martha Hagler and Mari Roberts, her husband Steven, and their daughters Emily and Jessica. Jo will be fondly remembered by her students and their parents, whom she felt privileged to serve, and by her friends.
Jo’s life will be celebrated in a private family ceremony. The family kindly requests that cards and letters of condolence or shared memories be sent to East Helena Public Schools in care of Hagler/Wise, PO Box 1280, East Helena, MT 59635 or posted on the memory website of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home at www.aswfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers kindly send a gift to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, 2112 E Custer Avenue, Helena, MT 59601; Rescued shelter animals always made Jo smile. There will also be a guestbook set-up for signing at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home on 650 Logan Street.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Carol L. Smith says
I wish to send my condolences to you and family. I taught in the East Helena School Dist. since 1990 and retired last year. I always talked to Jo about students, concerns, and getting teaching tips. She always made me feel on top of the world. We will truly miss her but the good memories will stay on.
CLANCIE BORDOLI-THENNIS says
To Bruce and Jo’s family
I am deeply saddened to hear of Jo’s passing. she was a great Teacher and Mentor to my daughter Jessica Omstead and many of her other students. Those that had the privilege of having Jo as a teacher were very lucky . I remember jo always had a smile when I saw her and was always very bubbly. I always enjoyed our talks when we had them. The world just lost a great Teacher and Mentor but God just got a Grand Angel.. God Bless you Jo Hagler and may you rest in peace.
Dawn Wilson says
To the family of Ms. Hagler,
I also had Ms. Hagler as a
social Studies and Art teacher in 8th grade. I had two favorite teachers and Ms. Hagler was very much one of them. I don’t know of anybody who didn’t like her. I remember the twinkle in her eyes and her sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss. She will be missed alot.
Eric says
Mrs. Hagler had a way of teaching that was both irreplacible and unique and made learning a blast. I was a student of hers in 8th grade in 2009. Because of her, I am a better person. The trust and friendship she showed me will stay with me always. In my darkest moments, she gave me the strength to not only press on but encouraged me to trust and respect others in a time when I thought I couldn’t. The outcome from that changed my life and therefore helped change my family’s life. In the short time I knew her, I was happy to call her my friend and teacher. I came back only once to visit nearly a year ago. I wish I would have come back one more time to see her. Even in the darkest times I know I can press on with her in my heart and memories. To Mrs. Haglers family I offer my deepest sympathy on the loss of a wonderful person. Ms. Hagler, my teacher and mentor, Thank you for being you! May God Himself hold all of you close in this very hard time. You’ll be in my heart, always.
Jeannie McCreanor Matthies says
Susan (as I always knew her) and I were together from Central School clear through Helena High, Class of 67. Whenever you were around her there were laughs aplenty. So very sad to lose such a great person at such an early age. My sympathy to all.
Julie Thomas Hintz says
Dear Friend Martha and Your Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of such a vibrant person. My thoughts are with you along with a big hug.
Kevin Smith says
Mrs. Hagler was my favorite teacher while i attended Radley School. Her inspiration in my life will be forever remembered. I just wish MY children would have had the pleasure to learn from her. Love ya Mama Jo. Some day we will see you again.
Kevin Smith
Radley School
class of 1991.
Linda Ponikvar says
Just learning of the passing of this wonderful spirit breaks my heart in ways I have not felt since the passing of my father. RIP Jo, you were so loved.
Lisa Tillo Sellers says
Ms. Hagler was my homeroom teacher in the 8th grade. She got me through what I remember being one of the most difficult years of my life. She was by far, my favorite teacher and throughout the past 34 years of life, I have thought of her often. RIP Ms. Hagler!
Mandi Jean says
May my thoughts go out to you and family… Mrs. Hagler was a wonderful teacher who tought things how it was. I had her as my social studies teacer in the year of 2005. I remeber she had us kids make a license plate craft on the first day of school to hand on the wall and to get to know our personalites 🙂 and as I think back on the year I sat in her class we never had a dull moment. I learned so much from her class skits that lasted weeks. She was truly a gifted teacher and knew how to help kids learn what she was teaching so they would never forget it. She will always be in my heart and well remeber by my father, two sisters, two little cousins, and my myself… May the lord put his hands on you all and brng you through these times smoothly
Marc & Beck Mattix says
Bruce, what a shocking, sad loss, guy. We’re thinking of you and hope you’re coping best you can. We were all just talking about Jo last weekend, about that week long float we took down the White Cliffs. Good memories, but sorry no words of wisdom on a deal like this. Marc & Beck
Marsha Paine says
Ms Hagler was a wonderful teacher. I only met her a few times, but she made a lasting impression on me. She will be missed.
Rae (Yudysky) Patton says
Joey was my college roommate at EMC in Billings. Among the large group of close friends, she was the sparkle that made any event a bit more fun.
Rosemary Fowler says
You touched many lives in your pursuit to educate the children of East Helena. Your students loved you. I was lucky enough to have you as my teacher and then share stories about you as my son also had you as his teacher. You will be missed Ms. Hagler. xxoo
Ruth Ann Shuler says
I was in Yellowstone NP when my husband told me of Jo’s passing. I am so very sorry. Jo was our son’s favorite teacher and one of my favorites to substitute for when she was away from her classroom.
Jo will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.
Scott Anderson says
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family along with the staff and students of EVMS. I feel extremely honored to have been taught by her. I will never look at the Statute of Liberty the same. In 2005 I had the opportunity to stop by and say hello. I made sure to thank her for everything she had given me. She remembered me as if I was still in her 8th grade. She asked me what I was doing now and I explained that I would be graduating college in two weeks and had just signed my first teaching contract. She broke down in tears and gave me a big hug. She remembered during my 8th grade year, and was so proud that I had reached my dream. Mrs. Hagler, Thank you so much for everything and please know that you have forever touched my life and that of so many others. May god watch over your family in this difficult time.
Shawn & Lisa Nichols says
Mrs. Hagler was the best teacher that my brother and I ever had. She taught us how to laugh while we learned and she showed us that there was more out there in the world than we could ever imagine. Our class at Clinton Street 8th grade will always fondly remember her as “Old Paint”!
Thanks Mrs. Hagler!
Terachelle Gregory says
Ms. Hagler to say you will be missed is an understatement, you were always somebody who I could look up to and somebody I wanted to be like. You always made class fun and made students looking forward to your class. We always learned lots and had fun doing it. Your humor was something that put a smile to everybody’s face along with your personality . Love one of your many students
Tina Tillo says
Mrs.Hagler will be missed so much… I had her for Social Studies in the eight grade in 1982. She was on of my favorite teachers… Very unique lady. I remember MASH being one of her favorite TV shows, so much so, that she wore ARMY fatigues to school!
My thoughts and prayers will be with all those who loved and cared about her so much.
Tom and Lynn Campbell says
Dear Martha,
We were so very sorry to hear about your sister! What a huge loss…our thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole family! May the love of family and friends see you through this! Love Lynn
Val Nelson Jorgenson says
Ms. Hagler made an impression! I still remember 35 years later what a treat it was to have her “May I keep this” on the bottom of an art project. She made a difference. My thoughts are with you.