Susan Rose Hurliman was born in Tillamook on January 13, 1944 to Carl and Helen Colleknon. She was the middle child and only girl, between older brother Buck and younger brother Jack. She did all of her schooling at Sacred Heart, and graduated from Tillamook Catholic in 1962. Sue was always athletic, and a heck of a ball player – out playing and out running many of the boys. But she was also strikingly feminine, and in 1962 was crowned Miss Tillamook.
After high school she moved to Portland and lived with her Uncle Harold and Aunt Teeny Lewis, and cousins Beverly and Bobbie, to attend beauty school. Unfortunately, she was allergic to almost all of the chemicals! It wasn’t a total bust, as that is where she met her very dear friend, Sherrie Clark.
She moved back home and started working at JC Pennys, and got accepted to flight attendant school to be a stewardess. But as fate would have it, Charlie Hurliman came in to JC Pennys one day and told her that his older brother, Jim, was home from the Army and he thought they might hit it off. Charlie introduced them at a PC dance, they started dating and soon became engaged. Turns out Jim’s Grandpa Hurliman and Sue’s Grandpa Blaser actually were friends back in Switzerland. Grandpa Hurliman was thrilled that Jim had found a Swiss girl to marry, and the fact it was Frank Blaser’s grand daughter was icing on the cake.
On April 8, 1967 Jim and Sue were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tillamook. Their son Brett was born in 1969, and their daughter Julie in 1971. Sometime in the late 90’s their favorite child, Taco (the Terrible Teacup Chihauaha) came into their lives. They delighted in spoiling him rotten.
After getting married, Sue also worked at Kimmels (Mel and Connie’s side), Farmer’s Insurance, and as a Personal Banker at US Bank. She loved kids and coached Y-ball, and volunteered as a SMART reader. She was part of a bunco group for nearly 40 years that she did life with. Marriages, divorces, births, deaths….they powered through it all together. Her friends were rowdy, fun, and loyal – and loved to have a good time. Just like her.
Jim and Sue loved to travel. When their kids were young the family spent many weekends at various Swiss Festivals with The Polkatones all over the Pacific NW. Their Swiss heritage was very important to the family, and Jim & Sue were members of the TIllamook Swiss Society for decades. Sue would walk in local parades wearing 6 inch heels and carrying a large Swiss cowbell. It’s a wonder she never spilled any of her beer! They traveled to Switzerland to attend the wedding of the Swiss exchange student, Monica, that they hosted. During their visit, they were able to catch-up with extended family still living in Switzerland–both Hurliman and Blaser sides of the family. When their kids got older, Jim and Sue wintered in Mexico. They also went to Arizona and up to Canada to meetup with friends they met in Mexico. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they went to China with the Tillamook Chamber travel group. Sue mostly loved spending time with her family and friends, and being up at their property on the Nehalem River. At gatherings, people would always request she bring her signature potato dish, which Julie dubbed “Mom’s Kickasserole!”
Sue was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Dementia in 2020, but her sweet disposition and big loving heart was no match for that diagnosis. She continued to bring joy and laughter to us all until the very end. Especially with her little brother, Jack, whom she adored. The two of them would shamelessly egg each other on, which delighted all of us who were lucky enough to witness their fun-loving shenanigans.
Sue had recently started attending Wellspring on Tuesdays, and enjoyed it so much. She quickly became part of the Wellspring Family. She never lost that mischievous twinkle in her eye, nor her warm & easy smile. We are so thankful for that.
Sue passed away peacefully at home on September 19th, holding her favorite sweater and her “little yellow dog, Neko”, with family and dear friends attending to her.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Helen Colleknon; her beloved dog, Taco; and just over 3 months ago, her husband of 57 years, Jim. She is survived by her brothers Buck and Jack; son Brett; daughter Julie; and grandchildren Shayla, Stella & Matteo. Sue also leaves behind several nieces and nephews – most of which claim her as their “favorite aunt”.
Recitation of the Rosary will be October 5th @ 10:30am at Sacred Heart | Funeral Mass @ 11am | Reception at Tillamook Elks Lodge @ 12pm noon
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to
Faith in Action – Wellspring, or Tillamook Hospice
And if you can, call your mom.
