Heather Watgen
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A Memorial Mass for Heather L. Watgen, 50, Lawrence will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 6, 2013 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. She died May 2, 2013 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
She was born March 5, 1963 in Carbondale, IL the daughter of Leonard G. and Elsie (Payne) Wood.
Heather received a Bachelor of Science in clothing and textiles from Southern Illinois University in 1985, a Kansas State Teaching Certificate from Washburn University in 2001, and a Masters in education from Baker University in 2009.
She was a fifth grade teacher at Cordley Elementary in Lawrence for the past 12 years.
She was a member of St. John the Evangelist the Catholic Church.
She married Thomas “Tom” M. Watgen on June 1, 1985 in Carbondale, IL. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, Collin Watgen, Thomas A. Watgen, both of the home; one brother, Fred Wood, and wife, Myra, Greer, SC; one sister, Tina Butler, and husband, Max, Johnston City, IL; two nieces; three nephews; two great nieces; and two great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Leonard G. Wood, Jr.
There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary followed by a visitation until 6 p.m.
The family suggests memorials in her name to give.water.org/fundraiser/852/ and may be sent in care of Cordley Elementary School, 1837 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
We are so sorry for your loss. She was a very important part of our lives and will be greatly missed.
Heather will be forever in our hearts.
Dear Tom and Boys,
Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Heather was a remarkable, strong woman. We deeply admired her and she truly touched our lives and countless children.
Tom, Colin, & Tommy,
I wish you could know how often you have all been in my thoughts & prayers these last weeks & days, and most especially, last night & today.
Colin & Tommy, I will always feel like I know you so much better than you think I do, because of the way your Mom talked about you.
Colin, she really loved being able to talk with you as a colleague, once you started teaching. She enjoyed having that additional connection in common.
Tommy, we got to see you on your senior marching band day at the KU football game. She was so proud of you!
Tom, Jeff & I have often talked about what a special relationship you and Heather share and what a well-matched couple you are. You inspire us! We have had such fun with you, over the years.
I know your loss is unimagineable. Know that we feel Heather’s loss at Cordley, because she is just so much a part of what makes Cordley Cordley! She is also my friend, and I miss her. I feel lucky to call her my friend.
Thoughts & prayers will truly be surrounding you, for such a long time to come. Take care.
Joni Weiss
Tom, Tommy and Colin, I am thinking of you during this difficult time. Heather inspired so many and will be missed by many people.
Tom, Tommy, Colin and Family,
I’m so sorry about Heather’s passing. She was my dear friend who gave so much of herself to me. I pray for peace to come to you. I will miss Heather immensely. Love to all, Julia
Your dedication to the art of teaching was magnificent.
I am proud and honored to have someone as special as you.
Rest in peace my friend!
Tom, Colin and Tommy. My deepest condolences for your loss. Heather was the first teacher that I had the chance to meet when I became principal at Cordley. I will never forget her smile and the way she made me feel so welcome to the Cordley community. Her constant positive attitude was always an inspiration to me and I know impacted her students. She was passionate about learning and cared deeply about her students. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. All my best..Scott
Heather was very special to us all. She was one of those wonderful treasures one can never forget. I will always remember her warm and sincere smile and her devotion to the countless children who were privileged to have her as their teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with her wonderful family.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of a wonderful person, friend, and colleague. She touched the lives of many students and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Heather will forever live in our hearts.
I am a former student of Mrs. Watgen she was a great teacher and will be truly miss as a teacher and a great person. she had an positive effect on all of her students..
Tom, Collin and Tommy…. I’m so saddened by Heather’s death. She was always such a vibrant person, with a glorious laugh, and a passion for her family and vocation. I’ll never forget our days at Deerfield and on with our kids, the 4th of July parties as Heather and Tom bravely let the boys try fireworks! I am so happy Heather got to see the boys grow into the great young men they are and taught them what a good marriage looks like. When you are left alone…the relatives leave…and life sort of returns to normal… PLEASE KNOW we have not forgotten her OR you all. We will keep you in our prayers.
Tom, Colin, and Tommy, I am so sorry for your loss. Heather definitely took me under her wing when I came to Cordley. She was a dedicated teacher and a wonderful friend. I will miss her very much, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tom, Colin, and Tommy, I am so sorry for your loss. Heather definitely took me under her wing when I came to Cordley. She was a dedicated teacher and a wonderful friend. I will miss her very much, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Heather was very special friend to us. Having known her and her family since 1968, we have many wonderful personal memories of Heather as a child, teenager, and young woman. It was fun, Tom, to be your neighbors for a couple of years in the Dallas area during the early years of your marriage, and we’ve been glad to be able to keep in touch since then. Know that our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you, Colin, and Tommy during the difficult days ahead!
Heather’s “guys,” the three of you are in our thoughts as we give each other a hug and share memories of our friend. She will always hold a special place in our hearts.
We are sending love and strength through all our prayers to all of your family. Heather will be so very missed. I was lucky to speak with her one day last week when I called Tina, and in her voice I heard happiness. No doubt in my mind she was surrounded by family that loved her so much,for in the end,to love and be loved is all that matters.
Colin and Tommy, Your mom and I often shared stories about “our boys”. She loved you absolutely and she was so proud of each of you. Her face just glowed whenever she talked about you. I am so sorry for your loss and so happy for the joy you brought to your mom throughout her life.
Tom, You and Heather….I’ve always been a bit in awe of the two of you. Few couples are such good friends and such good models of what it means to be true life partners. Thank you for sharing your shining example with me and our Cordley family. My heart aches for you and the boys today. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are so very sorry for your loss. My son is in 5th grade and Heather was his teacher. She was one of the best teachers he has had. My family truly feels blessed to have had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful lady. Heather you will be forever missed. Thoughts and prayers for her family.
Dear Tom,
Please accept our condolences. We fondly remember volunteering together with you and Heather in Free State Band Boosters: Heather was always a smiling and calming presence at the Band Boosters food stand. With our heartfelt sympathy, Krzysztof and Joanna Kuczera
Tom, Colin, & Tommy, Tina & Fred. I am so sorry for your loss. Heather had such a beautiful spirit. She will always be fondly remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God be with You, Cuz John
Tom, Colin, & Tommy, Tina & Fred. I am so sorry for your loss. Heather had such a beautiful spirit. She will always be fondly remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God be with You, Cuz John
My deepest sympathy to you all. Heather was one of the most positive, upbeat people I know, and her enthusiasm for teaching was undeniable. During my first year at Cordley we often ate lunch together, and Heather listened with patient ear as I rambled on and on about the woes of motherhood. Colin and Tommy, she often shared funny stories about when you were little, and her voice was full of pride when she talked about all you accomplished in recent years. May God Bless you and comfort you today and always.
Tom, Tommy and Collin–
My deepest sympathies to you all and of the family…I’m very sorry for your loss. I’m not sure I even have the words to express all the feelings I have right now. I hope that you will find peace knowing Heather is starting a new journey. I know how much she meant to all of us at Cordley, and how much she meant to me personally. Thank you for sharing Heather with us and letting her be a part of our lives. She will be missed. Hugs to all xoxo
We are so sorry to hear of Heather’s passing. She was a wonderful 5th grade teacher to our son Forest about 7 years ago, and we very much enjoyed all our times visiting with her. Wishing you all manner of comfort and peace.
I am thinking of you and praying that God grants you peace. I will always remember Heather’s enthusiasm for teaching and how her love for her family radiated in everything she did. Like others on here, she was a mentor to me and went out of her way to make sure I had whatever I needed my first years of teaching. I agree with previous comments. She is what makes Cordley Cordley! Her positive impact will continue to change countless lives.
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in God’s Word where He promises a time soon when “death will be no more.” (Revelation 21:4)
We wish Tom and the entire Watgen family our sincere condolences. Heather was such a sweet and giving person and we will miss her smile and laugh. Love and hugs to all.
Collin, I am saddened to learn of your mother’s passing, and I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences to you, your father and brother, and the rest of your family. I wish you all peace during this difficult time.
Tom, Colin, and Tommy,
You will all be in our thoughts for a long time to come. We are so very sorry. Heather was always one of our favorites from nursery school on, and we were so grateful for her as a teacher at Cordley. Sending you love from all of us. Holding her in our hearts.
May the angels welcome Heather into Paradise and may she see the face of God.
Tom, I am so sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories growing up with Heather from before we started school through after we graduated. She left us way too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you, the boys, and all of the family.
God bless you and your family, Tom. Our prayers are with you. Ginny and Dick
I am sorry for our loss. Through Tina I heard all about Heather and the family- what a loving, kind sister, mother, wife she was. I wish you all comfort and peace
Val, Alex and I are sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts an prayers are with you and your family. Ron
Dear Tom and all the family,
This photo of Heather-so shows her strength of spirit, humor and grace. She will be so missed. My thoughts and prayers will be with you today and tomm during the services. I know she is watching over all of you and raditating her love to all.
cousin Barb
Heather was my daughter Laura’s 5th grade teacher at Cordley, and one of Laura’s favorites! Please know that she touched and influenced so many young lives in a positive way. We will keep you in our prayers.
Dear Tina and all your family, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tina (and Max)
I was so very sorry to learn of your sister’s passing. At least she is no longer suffering and is at peace with Our Lord. You have been a wonderful, supportive sister to her and I know she deeply appreciated it.
Love, Mary Ann Sexton
Tom I learned of Heather’s passing this morning at church and I offer my condolences.
We are very sorry for the pain you are feeling. Heather is at peace and filled with the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. May you feel God’s loving presence.
We are so sorry for your loss. We will always remember Heather as the kind mother of Tommy, who always had a kind word to say about every person she knew. She was a lovely, positive, and sensitive person and that lives on in her children. God bless you and give you peace and strength.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May you find comfort and peace in knowing she is with our heavenly Father. All our sympathy.
Dear Tom and Family:
Carmen and I extend our deepest sympathy at your loss. Heather cared deeply about her students and was generous with her colleagues. Some of my favorite memories are of Heather performing in the Foundation Follies. She will be missed.
With a special gift for learning
And with a heart that deeply cares,
You add a lot of love
To everything you share.
And even though
You mean a lot,
You’ll never know how much,
For you helped
To change the world
Through every life you touched.
You sparked the creativity
In the students whom you taught,
And helped them strive for goals
That could not be bought,
You are such a special teacher
That no words can truly tell
However much you’re valued
For the work you do so well.
I am blessed to have known such a wonderful women like Mrs. Watgen. She was a great teacher and mother. My heart goes out to Tommy and Collin and all of her family .I know times are hard when losing someone but just remember, her memories will forever live. She has been a true inspiration and I love her for that – Breanna Bell
Tom,
I am so very sorry to hear of Heathers passing. My thoughts and prayer are with you and the boys today. May peace be with her.
Sheila
Tom, We are so sorry to hear about your loss. You and Heather are in our thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy,
God bless Heather’s family. I was her guest teacher earlier this year. In years past I had a few chances to visit with her. She was a very sweet lady.
May you find comfort from God’s promise at (Acts 24:15) “and I have hope toward God, which hope these [men] themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous”
and (Psalm 147:3) “He is healing the brokenhearted ones, And is binding up their painful spots.”