Susan "Sue/Susie" Esko, born on June 29, 1949, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids with her daughter Michelle and granddaughter Haley By her side. Susan touched the lives of many with her kind and generous spirit, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughters, Michelle Alden and Jody Ferraro; her grandchildren, Ella Barton, Haley Alden, Hunter Alden, and Emma Barton; her sisters, Linda (Dick) Mottonen and Carol Butterfield; her step-children, Gary (LuAnn) Esko, Lance Esko, and Nikki Esko; and her grandchild, Emily (Adam Hutchens) Esko, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.  Susan was predeceased by her father, Edward Adams; her mother, Hattie Adams; her husband, Larry Esko; her sisters, Karen Adams and Kaye Larson; and her brother, Alan Adams.

Susan graduated from Coleraine High School in 1967 and remained dedicated to her community throughout her life. She was an active member of the Coleraine City Council, the ISD 316 school board as well as the GHS cheer coach. She  devoted her time to numerous organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, United Way, Kiwanis, and March of Dimes Foundation.

She spent her whole career at Minnesota Power where she met the love of her life. She served as the area office manager until area offices closed and she relocated to the Duluth office where she worked until retirement. After retirement she took on many part time jobs from child care to retail, but most recently worked in the office at John Hirsch's Cambridge Motors. 

With a contagious sense of humor and an adventurous spirit, Susan enjoyed everything from gardening and antiquing to shopping and spending time at her camper on the Rum River. She loved chicken parmesan, gnocchi, soup, onion sandwiches, and McDonald's cheeseburgers and her favorite drinks included Diet Coke, root beer, wine, and vodka. She was a fan of Judge Judy, CNN, Netflix, the Minnesota Wild, and Greenway sports teams.

Travel was another passion for Susan, with favorite destinations such as Washington D.C. and New Orleans. Locally, any shopping center was sure to be a top pick for her. Susan also cared deeply about various causes such as the Veterans Association, Coleraine City Council, and Greenway High School School Board. She had a particular fondness for the color green.

Susan's memory will live on through her family, friends, and the countless lives she impacted through her volunteer work and community involvement. Her presence will be missed, but her legacy will never be forgotten.

The family has entrusted Crescent Tide Funeral Home and Cremation, St. Paul MN with the arrangements. Per Susan's request, no service will be held. Larry and Susan's ashes will be buried together at Fort Snelling at a later date. The family will be having a "celebration of life" later this summer.

Due to unexpected costs, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.

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