Susan Hemphill

Our mother, Susan Jean (McKenzie) Hemphill, was born in Minneapolis on July 19, 1952 to Melville and Donna McKenzie and passed peacefully from this life into the arms of her loving Savior on November 17, 2025 at the age of 73. The youngest of four siblings, she was a devoted daughter, sister, and friend. She grew up in a fun-loving family that maintained deep, lifelong bonds. After graduating from Osseo High School, she moved in with friends Jeanne and Kathy. The three remained close friends after all these years.

She married the love of her life, Bradley Hemphill, in a custom-made leather dress on a hot July day in 1973. Anyone who knew them could plainly see that theirs was a true love story. They began their life together in Minneapolis, where they welcomed their first son into the world. Not long after, they moved to Fifty Lakes where they built a home together on 40 acres and continued to grow their family. They were founding members of the Crosslake Evangelical Free Church, where they raised their children, volunteered their time and skills, and helped build a thriving community.

As a mom, she served and loved us all so well. From Boy Scouts to Little League, from hockey and figure skating to equine competitions, she was always there. Whether it meant a 5 a.m. drive or a trip all the way to Tulsa, she showed up, cheering us on. She loved us through the good times and the hard times, and she prayed for each of us continually, especially through her beloved prayer group with close friends Cherie, Sandy, and Sue B., among others. We truly could not have asked for a better mom.

Around the year 2000, she bought a motorcycle and joyfully embraced the biker life, helping form the Log Church’s Log Hogs motorcycle club. She was often seen cruising with her blonde hair in braids, red bandana on, and – true to form – no helmet. Though she eventually sold her bike, she never lost her love for the feeling of wind in her hair with the open road in front of her. She still dreamt of riding again even in recent years, and she was forever scheming to buy her son-in-law’s bike every time she visited their house.

After her kids grew up, she was sure to be planning a sisters’ trip to relax on the Gulf Coast and have as much fun as possible. Next to her home in Fifty Lakes, a beach in Florida was her favorite place to be. These three sisters had the most fun together, and we could always count on mom coming home from vacation with stories to tell.

When she became a Granny in 2004, she embraced this new role with all her heart. She loved every one of her 14 grandkids “like crazy,” and she always put tremendous thought and care into making life special for them. She lovingly carried on traditions from her and our dad’s childhoods and created several new traditions along the way. Her grandchildren will forever cherish the memories she made with them.

Her absence will be felt keenly by all who knew and loved her. We take comfort in knowing she has entered her eternal rest, joining those who preceded her: loving husband of 51 years, Bradley Jay Hemphill; infant daughter, Katherine Jean Hemphill; parents, Melville and Donna McKenzie; and brother, Richard McKenzie.

She is survived by: her children and their spouses: Zack and Jesse Hemphill, Andy and Megan Hemphill, Nikki and Ken Carlton, and Jenna and Mike Weiss; her 14 beloved grandchildren: Jack, Israel, Justice, Ava, Clara, Vera, Calvin, Carter, Greta, Renwick, Fiona, Sebastian, Hugo and Crusoe; sisters: Pat (Bob) Moore and Phyllis (Denny) Wilson; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews, and in-laws.

A service honoring her life and legacy will be held on Saturday, January 10 at 1:00 pm at the Crosslake Evangelical Free Church (The Log Church). Fellowship and refreshments will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Brainerd-based non-profit Bridges of Hope.

We refrained from publishing an obituary for our dad while our mom was living on her own as a widow. His obituary can now be found on this website.