Susan Tallman

Susan Anne Tallman's long, valiant battle with cancer ended Aug. 31, 2010, in Grand Junction, Colo. She was a former Alaska resident.

A service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction. A potluck is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday at Spirit of Life Christian Fellowship in Grand Junction.

Susie was born in Seattle, Wash., on Sept. 25, 1949, as the second child of James and Alice (Lindberg) Tallman.

As a child, Susie moved with her family to Anchorage, where she attended public schools. In her early years, Susie played piano, took ballet and horseback riding lessons, and loved going into the woods to collect bugs. As a teen she was a downhill skier and during summers enjoyed swimming and water skiing. In 1972, Susie received her nursing degree (LPN) in Sarasota, Fla., working in nursing first at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and later at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. She received her B.S. in biology from California State University, Sacramento, in 1978, working at a fish cannery and as a waitress while attending college. She also received a B.A. in psychology from Mesa State College in Grand Junction in 1997.

Susie was married to Max Schwab in 1985 and had two daughters, around whom her life revolved. That marriage later ended in divorce. During her life, Susie was a successful entrepreneur. Her many ventures included a fireworks stand, a family car dealership, a food wagon, a Christmas tree lot, selling topsoil, a bed & breakfast, a thrift store and furniture warehouse, collecting and reselling unusual items, and buying and remodeling homes.

She was an active member of Talkeetna Christian Center until 1993 when she moved to Grand Junction, joining her pastor and other church members to form the Spirit of Life Christian Fellowship. During and after continuing her education at Mesa State, Susie volunteered at The Pregnancy Center and worked as a counselor for Miranda Place and The Salvation Army. She received her Certified Addiction Counselor II certification in 2006.

Susie loved to travel, visiting such places as Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Other hobbies included camping, interior design, photography, boating and skiing.

Susie is survived by two daughters, Gina Tallman and LeeAnna Tallman, both of Grand Junction; one sister, Barbara Tallman of Alaska; one brother, Jon Tallman of Hawaii; one grandson, Oliver Tallman of Grand Junction; one aunt, Anna Renda of Florida; and 14 nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and one brother, Jim Tallman.

Susie will be deeply missed by her family, many friends and those who received the benefits of her counseling.

Memorial donations may be made for her grandchildren's education to Gina Tallman, C/O Spirit of Life, P.O. Box 40111, Grand Junction, CO 81504.