Thief River Falls – Susan Koland, 77, of Thief River Falls, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Oakland Park Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family.
Susan “Susie” Gwen Owen was born on November 16, 1947, to Llewelyn and Laura (Beulke) Owen in Thief River Falls. Susie was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church. She
graduated from Lincoln High School in 1965 and St. Luke’s School of Nursing in 1968.
On August 16, 1975, Susie was united in marriage to Wayne Koland, and to this union, three children were born: Sarah, Shelley, and Nathan.
Susie started her nursing career right out of college. She worked as a Surgical Nurse for 42 ½ years at the hospital in Thief River Falls. She led the surgical team for a good portion of her career as head of the surgery department. Susie was a kind, caring and compassionate nurse that cared deeply about her patients and treated her staff like family. Susie retired faithfully from the same hospital in
2010.
Susie was a loyal member of the United Methodist Church. She served on many committees, played handbells, and taught Sunday School. She played clarinet in the Community Band, curled, and was a softball pitcher for the Schmidt’s Steelers.
Susie was active in the Pennington County 4-H program for the majority her life. She showed sheep as a young 4-Her and later mentored her children, grandchildren, and other youth while serving as a 4-H leader. Alongside her husband Wayne, Susie served on the Pennington County Fair Board and spent many years of service at the fairgrounds. In 2016, Wayne and Susie were inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame for their service.
Susie had many things in life she loved; Neil Diamond, dogs and rabbits, flowers, the color blue, caramel sundaes from Dairy Queen, shopping at Purdy’s shoe store, trips to Hugo’s grocery,
camping in Warroad, and watching the NDSU Bison football team. Her greatest love in life though, was for her husband Wayne, her children, and her grandchildren.
Left to mourn her passing are her loving husband of 49 years, Wayne; children, Sarah Sabol, Shelley (John) Cervantes and Nathan (Jordan) Koland; grandchildren, Nicholas (Mikayla) Cervantes, Carley (Kaiden) Quam, Cayley (Teagan) Kruckeberg, Blaine Sabol, Josie, Macie, and John Cervantes, Reece, Elli, and Brooklyn Koland; great-grandchildren, Emma and Levi Cervantes, and baby boy Kruckeberg (due in May); brother, Jack Owen; sister-in-law, Ruthie Owen; stepmother, Shirley Scheuble; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Susie was preceded in death by her parents, Llewelyn and Laura; stepfather, Harry Scheuble; father
and mother-in-law, Clarence and Melbrey Koland; brother, Jerry Owen; brother and sister-in-law, Curtiss and Sandra Koland; special friends, Craig and Judy Spilde; and many other relatives.
A Memorial Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the United Methodist Church in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Jeff Gustafson officiating. Visitation time will be one hour prior to the service.
The burial will be held at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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