Susan Mary (Jenkinson) Hatfield, age 77, died on Monday, January 12, 2026, at her home in Salina surrounded by her family.
She was born April 1, 1948, in Evanston, Illinois, the only child of Walter Edward Jenkinson and Luella Mildred (Gleason) Jenkinson. Susan grew up in Meade, Kansas, where her parents owned the Sunset Court Motel and operated a family farm. At an early age, she developed a strong work ethic—earning a nickel for cleaning motel rooms and spending time with her father, aunts, and uncles, at the farm. She loved her dog, Maverick, and as a teenager, enjoyed driving her Mercury Comet as fast as it would go. Ambitious and determined, Susan attended summer classes in Dodge City and graduated year early from Meade High School in 1965.
In January 1969, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fort Hays State University in just three and a half years, then moved to Salina, Kansas, to begin her teaching career as a seventh-grade geography teacher at Salina South Middle School.
On December 27, 1969, Susan married Roger Hatfield, the love of her life. They met at a marriage and family college course in Hays, and she won his heart with her homemade cookies. The loving couple recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.
Susan continued her education, earning a Master of Arts in History in 1975. After teaching for eleven years, she chose to stay at home to care for her son, Thomas, and later her daughter, Lauren. After some time, she returned to academia as a collegiate history professor at Marymount College, Benedictine College, and Kansas Wesleyan University. She occasionally served as a substitute librarian for Salina schools.
Susan cherished many memories and adventures with her family, boating and catching a lot of fish at their cabins on Kanopolis Lake and Rainbow Lake (Uncle Gene’s place). Susan was actively involved in all her childrens’ activities, including Boy Scouts, 4-H, and school events. She even worked as a “taste tester” for Tony’s Pizza to earn extra family funds. Passionate about genealogy, Susan spent countless hours researching her own family’s history and helping others trace theirs, often uncovering fascinating connections. Despite facing significant health challenges, her determination and support of her loved ones always got her through.
Susan is survived by her husband, Roger; her two children, Thomas James Hatfield (Lindsay) and Lauren Elizabeth (Hatfield) Flones (Steve); and her granddaughter, Emmaline June Flones. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be at Ryan Mortuary on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a family graveside service the next day.