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In memory of

Joseph George Suman, Jr.

Golden, CO

April 19, 1939 - July 25, 2024

Apr 19, 1939 - Jul 25, 2024

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Joe Suman, age 85, of Golden, Colorado passed away peacefully at home on July 25, 2024.

Joe was born in Bemidji, Minnesota on April 19, 1939, attended St. Phillip's Catholic School, graduated from Bemidji High School in 1957, and graduated from Bemidji State College (now University) in 1961 where he excelled at living life to its fullest and basketball; earning a spot in the Bemidji State Hall of Fame (https://bsubeavers.com/honors… In his youth, Joe explored his sense of adventure and call to serve by working as a wildland firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service throughout the West, with the Federal Housing Administration in Washington D.C., and with the U.S. Army in Korea. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Joe moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he managed a department at Dayton's and most importantly met the love of his life, Carol, whom he married in 1966. In 1967, Joe, Carol, and daughter Nicole returned to Bemidji where Joe took over a family business, the Bemidji Bootery, and expanded their family with Andrea and Michelle. For twenty years Joe and Carol added immense value to the Bemidji community and raised three women of strength and character. In 1986, rekindling his sense of adventure and adapting to the modern economy, Joe moved the family to Golden, Colorado where he instantly fit in with the Western spirit. Joe served as an executive with the Automotive Services Association of Colorado and as the owner of Mountain Services Group prior to his retirement.

Joe's legacy is the people whose lives he touched. He lived simply, loved deeply, and provided inspiration on living purposefully with everyone he met. Joe's devotion as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend was boundless and his quick wit, sense of humor, down to earth attitude, and love for human connection made nearly everyone he met a friend. Joe's genuine personality, practicality, and humility made him a confidant for advice, comfort, inspiration, or just to have a beer to get re-grounded. Joe was never short of situationally appropriate cowboy wisdom gained from his appreciation of the two types of music (Country and Western), and wouldn't let you leave without a heartfelt goodbye and saying "If you see anyone important tell them I said hi."

Joe is survived by his wife, Carol; his siblings, Jane (& Bryce) Potter, Dave (& Sharon) Suman, Gerry (& Joyce) Suman, and Sally Walcott; his children, Nicole (& Jeff) Smith, Andrea (& David) Collignon, Michelle (& Shaun) Rohrbach; his grandchildren, Matthew (& Catherine) Smith, Katherine Smith, Sydney Collignon, Jenna Collignon, Chase Collignon, Isabella Rohrbach, Eva Rohrbach, and Mia Rohrbach.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ruth Suman; his brother Steve Suman; his sister-in-laws, Susan Suman, Kathy Bowling; and brother-in-law, Gary Walcott.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joseph's name can be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate…)

The family extends their gratitude to Elevation Hospice for the professionalism and compassion they provided throughout Joe's transition. (https://sagefoc.com/elevation…)