Susan Beverly Hecht

Susan "Sue" Hecht, 78, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and community leader, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2024, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 13, at Paynesville Lutheran Church. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 12, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Paynesville Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be at the Paynesville Cemetery in Paynesville. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville, MN.
Sue was born on September 15, 1945 in Torrance, CA to Conrad and Barbara (Wengel) Gundlach. The family moved to Minnesota when Sue was two years old. She graduated from Anoka High School in 1963. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus, where she earned a BS Degree in Foods and Business in 1967. She was an active member of the Lambda Delta Phi Sorority House in her junior year.
Sue married Harlin Lee Hecht on August 5, 1967, and together they built a life filled with love and dedication. After their marriage, the couple moved to Evansville, MN, where Sue began her career as an Extension Home Economist for Douglas County. Following the birth of their first son, Howard, Sue became a devoted stay-at-home mom, contributing to the establishment and operation of the Hecht purebred Charolais cattle herd, Double-H Charolais.
In 1971, the Hecht family moved to Paynesville, MN, where Sue continued as a homemaker and with Harlin, co-managing the Double-H Charolais cattle operation. In 1980, Sue transitioned back into the workforce. She joined the Paynesville School District as Assistant Director of Community Education and later pursued additional studies at the College of Saint Benedict to become a Registered Dietician. Sue then worked for the Paynesville Area Health Care System, managing the dietary department and serving as a Certified Diabetes Educator for 16 years. Her career continued at the Affiliated Community Medical Clinic in Willmar, MN, from which she retired at age 65.
Sue was passionate about supporting the success of her grandchildren, both inside and out of the cattle show ring, tending to her flowers, and caring for her dog. She was an active member of Paynesville Lutheran Church, where she served on the Education Committee for four years. Her dedication to the Charolais cattle industry was evident through her involvement with the American International Charolais Association and the Minnesota-Wisconsin Charolais Association. Sue was honored with the AIJCA Conference Dedicatee award in 1990 and the AIJCA Junior National Show Dedicatee award in 2023. In 2018, she and Harlin were inducted into the AICA Hall of Fame.
Sue's commitment to community service extended to organizing the Koronis Konquerors 4-H Club, serving as a 4-H Leader, and receiving the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree in 2017-2018. She also contributed to the Central Minnesota Credit Union Board of Directors for six years.
Sue is survived by her loving husband, Harlin Lee Hecht; their three sons, Howard Lee Hecht (wife Laura Bower Hecht) and their children Christopher, Alyssa, and Emily; Mark Harlin Hecht (wife Rebecca Poncelet Hecht) and their children Taylor, Payton, and Riley; and Dale Hugh Hecht (wife Jill Richter Hecht) and their children Dallee, Georgia, and Josie. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Stan Thorud and Arvid Hecht.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Cathleen Thorud.
Sue's warmth, dedication, and unwavering spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Donations will be directed to the American International Charolais Foundation to establish a scholarship in Sue's name.
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