Sue Zahn Leggett

Sue Zahn Leggett, chances are you knew her simply as Mrs. Leggett and then “Mama Sue” passed away peacefully at the age of 88. While her family grieves her passing, they find comfort in knowing she is now home with her Savior, Jesus Christ, and reunited with those who have gone before her. She was a woman with the ornery smile, the quick wit, an unmistakable love for the outdoors, and an elite level of stubbornness.

Mama Sue was born on May 30, 1938, in Burdett, Kansas, to Harry and Hattie Belle Zahn. She grew up on the family farm, where hard work wasn’t a choice—it was simply a way of life. She milked dairy cows, separated cream, fed livestock, and tackled nearly every outdoor chore imaginable. While her older sister, Marilyn, often helped their mother inside the house, Mama Sue preferred life outdoors. She loved working with her hands, caring for animals, working the fields or pretty much anything to avoid wearing dresses.

Following high school, Mama Sue proudly served her country in the United States Air Force. Her years of military service gave her the opportunity to travel the world and opened her eyes to places and people far beyond rural Kansas. An accomplished athlete, she was even offered the opportunity to play on the United States Air Force Women’s Basketball Team. Consistent with being fiercely independent and wanting to do things her way, she turned it down because she didn’t want to be stationed in Wyoming, a story she loved to tell with a smile that seemed to scream “I showed them!”.

After completing her military service, Mama Sue returned to Kansas and attended Friends University alongside her younger brother, Noel, earning her degree in Health and Physical Education. While teaching physical education in Tribune, Kansas, she met a fellow educator, William “Bill” Leggett. They married and built a life centered on family, hard work, laughter, and ‘finding a way’.

Together they raised four children—Traci, Robin, Lance, and Dawn. Their children often joked that the toughest teacher they ever had was their own mother. Mama Sue expected honesty, responsibility, perseverance, and respect, but she loved just as fiercely as she disciplined. Those lessons became gifts that her children would carry throughout their lives.

The family eventually made their home in Colorado, where Mama Sue spent the majority of her teaching and coaching career at Strasburg Schools. She became known as a firm, no nonsense, take no crap, type of teacher who believed every student was capable of more than they thought. Years after graduation, many former students still reached out to her, remembering the difference she made in their lives. Some would travel miles and miles out of their way just to visit with Mrs. Leggett. After retiring from teaching, Mama Sue found her way back to the Strasburg School District, caring for its grounds, substituting, and taking tickets at ball games. It was the perfect second career for someone who found peace and satisfaction working outdoors and in the hallways of a school building.

When she wasn’t outside, Mama Sue enjoyed creating stained glass. With remarkable patience and creativity, she transformed pieces of colored glass into beautiful works of art that family and friends will treasure for years to come. Some of her best friends joined her in this endeavor and they could be heard solving all the world’s problems “in the shop”. Whether she was tending flowers, mowing a yard, or crafting stained glass, she found joy in making things beautiful.

Mama Sue’s faith was quiet but unwavering. She believed in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and found peace in His promise of eternal life. Her faith guided her through life’s greatest joys and deepest sorrows.

If there was one thing Mama Sue believed almost as much as hard work, it was that laughter truly was the best medicine. With an ornery grin and a quick wit, she could brighten anyone’s day with an unexpected comment or lovingly give someone a hard time. She never took herself too seriously and would laugh just as hard when the joke was on her.

She also loved sports. Few people enjoyed football and basketball more than Mama Sue, and even fewer understood the games as well as she did. She’d always say “who would have thought this old lady knows football like I do?!”. She loved the Denver Broncos and Kansas Jayhawks. She could occasionally cheer for a rival, even the Chiefs, if circumstances required it. But there was one team she would never root for: the Raiders. She proudly wore her “Raider hater” shirt every chance she got.

Whether you were family, a student, a neighbor, or a lifelong friend, Mama Sue had a way of making you feel welcome. She never hesitated to share an honest opinion. She especially treasured time with her family, enjoyed the simple pleasure of watching a ballgame, relaxing with her faithful pup, Ramsey, never far from her side.

Mama Sue was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Leggett; her parents, Harry and Hattie Belle Zahn; her daughter, Robin Keilig; her older sister, Marilyn Franklin; and an infant brother, Darwin Zahn, who passed away at birth.

She is survived by her daughter, Traci Sievers and husband, Dr. Joel Sievers; her son, Lance Leggett and wife, Aimee; her daughter, Dawn Phillips and husband, Justin Phillips; her brother, Noel Zahn; grandchildren Jenna Sievers, Jaci Hilton and husband, Miles, Kami Sievers, Ethan Keilig, Elly Keilig, Kylia Leggett, Derek Leggett, and Allison King; her great-granddaughter, Maci Hilton; along with many nieces, nephews, former students, cherished friends, and all those who were blessed to know and love her.

True to Mama Sue’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. She reminded her family countless times that she never wanted anyone to make a fuss over her and “absolutely did not want a funeral or visitation”. In honoring those wishes, her children will gather privately at a later date to lay her earthly body to rest.

Mama Sue’s family finds peace in knowing she is now in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, reunited with Bill, “her Robin”, sister Marilyn and so many others she dearly loved. She was, and always will be, “Mama Sue”.