Susan Marie Cote

Susan Marie (Carlson) Cote, age 63, of Tallahassee, FL died August 23, 2023 in her home. She was born July 3, 1960 in Galesburg, IL to Roy D. and Shirley (Fortman) Carlson. Survivors include her father of Altona and his friend Norma Brown; three children; Erin (Eric) Daugherty of San Antonio, TX, Ryan Cote of Tallahassee, FL, Evan Cote of Tallahassee, FL.; two grandchildren Kai and Aiden; sisters, Sally (Eric) Ohlson of Edelstein and Kathy (Rob) Schulz of Dunlap and 5 niece and nephews, Daniel, Michelle, Steven, Andrew, and Michael. She is preceded in death by her mother, Shirley and sister, Karen (Carlson) Greer. 

Growing up in Illinois, Susan was known to tame quite a few wild barn cats. She would also rescue and adopt kitties whenever possible. \She loved helping out on the family farm and would sneak baby lambs and piglets into the house to snuggle. Sue was a very active member of the Walnut Grove Progressors 4H club, winning multiple awards for sewing and public speaking. In 1978, she was chosen to be the Knox County Beef Queen and played an important role in many community events. Sue graduated from ROVA High School with the class of 1978. Sue was president of her high school FHA club and was also chosen as the district president. She enjoyed jazz band and marching band, playing clarinet, contrabass clarinet, and baritone saxophone. 

As a mother, she created great memories with her children. She planned many road trips using paper maps and many overnight drives. She made sure her children were provided for. She made every birthday special with extra thought into what to eat and a yellow cake with milk chocolate icing to celebrate. Some years she would even make cupcakes to share with school classmates. She chaperoned on as many field trips as she could and enjoyed the title of "chaperone mom". She had an insightful mind and loved to talk about anything and everything. She shared many fond memories of family and her time growing up in Illinois. Her one of a kind laugh and small one liner jokes were precious. 

Sue worked very hard at everything she did. She was a mail carrier for the Post Office for more than 10 years. 

Later in life, she prided herself on being a cigar aficionado, knowing all the intricacies of tobacco flavor aging regionality and growth to make the perfect flavor and pairing for any individual that came her way.

Sue had a beautiful smile and was a gifted conversationalist and could make anyone feel welcome.  She would also prepare amazing meals whenever she hosted family and friends.  Most of all, Sue loved each of her three children and was very proud of them and their various accomplishments.  She was so very happy to be blessed with two grandsons.  She would often sign off her phone calls with a “give everyone a big squeeze for me”. She will be greatly missed.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, September 1 at Rux Funeral Homes, 313 Market St., Galva. Graveside services officiated by Pastor Russell Collister will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 2 at Galva Cemetery located on IL Rte. 17 just south of the Galva Park District. A luncheon will follow provided by Kathy, Sally and Michelle at the Victoria United Methodist Church, 102 Washington St. in Victoria. Memorials may be directed to the Leon County Humane Society or the American Diabetes Association.

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