Jodie Redditi Hanzlik

"Every Blade in the Field
Every Leaf in the Forest
Lays Down Its Life in its Season
As Beautifully as it was taken up"
Thoreau

Jodie Redditi Hanzlik, age 72, of Fort Collins, Colorado, received her angel wings on September 7, 2025.

Jodie was born January 22, 1953, in Beloit, Wisconsin, to parents Joseph Tosconi Redditi and Elsie Marian Swanson. She grew up in Beloit, and attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and her Master of Science in Child and Family Studies. From there she went on to earn her Ph.D. in Child Development from Iowa State University. Jodie and Louis Prange were married on September 19, 2013.

Jodie was full of life and love which she gave freely to her family and friends and extended that spirit throughout her professional academic career.

Jodie began her career as an Occupational Therapist in 1975. In 1984, Jodie came to Colorado State University as an academic faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy. In 1997 she was promoted to head of the department and for the following 10 years remained as head of the Department of Occupational Therapy through 2007. She created an official academic relationship with the Occupational Therapy department at Yamagata Prefectural University in Japan which still exists today.

In 2007 Jodie became the Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs for Colorado State University. Her role in Graduate Affairs expanded in 2012 when she became the Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs and the Dean of the Graduate School. She provided oversight to approximately 3,800 graduate students and mentored many graduate students and faculty throughout her career. In this role she created and defined major policy initiatives leading to enhanced visibility, accountability and formal review processes. She provided organizational leadership to develop the Graduate Student and Post Doctoral Fellowship program and the Graduate Student Showcase program.

Leadership, mentorship, empowerment and vision were hallmarks of her career. Her dedication and long-term contributions to the college of Health and Human Sciences and the University were recognized in 2024 when she was honored with the College of Health and Human Sciences Legacy Award. This award was fitting recognition for her commitment to teaching, research and service at the highest levels. When asked how she wanted to be remembered she said she wanted to be remembered for the programs and policies she created for students. Jodie retired from CSU in 2017.

Jodie and Louis Prange were married on September 19, 2013. But their story began long before that date at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1972. They were together until 1977 when life took them in different directions and they parted. Louis pursued his farming, livestock and international marketing career, and Jodie continued her studies in Madison and at Iowa State University and then began her career at Colorado State University. In 2009 events brought them back in touch with each other and they reconnected in 2010. Confirming they were the mutual loves of their lives, they married on September 19, 2013.

Since her retirement, Jodie and Louis have done extensive international traveling in a range of cultures and specialty wine growing areas around the world. Jodie enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was dedicated to exercise and could be found at the gym on a daily basis.

Jodie is survived by her husband, Louis Prange, her children Lauren Redditi Hanzlik (Brandon) Paxton, and Nathan Redditi Hanzlik, sister JoAnn (Michael) Myers, niece Brittany (Tim) Ertle, and nephew Lucas (Joy) Myers. Also surviving Jodie are grand nieces and nephews Tyler Ertle, Cooper Ertle, Peyton Myers, Kemper Myers and Harper Myers. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude and thanks to the Pathways Inpatient Care Center and its staff for their care and attention to Jodie both in her home and at the Center.

In Jodie's memory, donations may be made to support the Jodie Hanzlik Research Assistantship in OT Endowment at Colorado State University. Gifts may be made online at https://col.st/oHj17 or by check payable to the CSU Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 1870, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1870.