Lana Holtzman Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Foothills Cremation and Funeral Service - Golden on Jul. 10, 2025.
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Lana "Suellen" Toeller Holtzman, passed away on July 8, 2025. She will be interred at Garden of Memories in Pittsburg, Kansas. A service will be held at the Garden of Memories shelter in Pittsburg, KS on Tuesday, July 15th at 2PM.
Suellen was born on October 9, 1941, in Pittsburg, Kansas to Dorthea Sue McGlothlin Toeller and Robert "Truman" Toeller. Suellen was the oldest of three siblings, two brothers, and one sister. She grew up in Pittsburg, Kansas and graduated from Pittsburg High School. Suellen grew up feeling special and loved by her mother and father. Suellen would have the privilege of spending summers in Chicago where her Uncle Don worked as a manager for the Chicago White Sox. Suellen would often look back fondly on the memories of those trips where she was first introduced to fancy dinners, music and cultural life.
Suellen met the love of her life Theodore "Ted" R. Holtzman in 1958. They had a lot of fun dating and knew they wanted to build a life together, marrying on August 27, 1961. They set up their first home together in Iola, then moved to Mound City, Kansas where Ted taught band. A fond memory of her time in Mound City was she got to be an extra and was featured prominently as a juror in a major motion picture, The Learning Tree (1969). During that time, they adopted their son Chad M. Holtzman. Ted was soon recruited to Caney Valley Elementary School where he would serve as principal until his retirement in 2003 after 27 years of service. During that time Suellen would serve as the Board Secretary for the Caney Valley School District. Suellen and Ted were both very active in the Caney Community building lifelong connections and friendships. Sadly, Ted passed away shortly after his retirement; the day after Ted and Suellen celebrated 45 years of marriage. Suellen remained strong, and after her retirement continued to be an integral part of her community serving on the Caney Valley School Board and the Delaware Native American School board. She also was a kind and comforting face at the Caney Funeral Home where she assisted with hosting visitations and filling in other duties as needed.
In 2014, Suellen made the difficult decision to move to Colorado to live with her son and daughter-in-law. She left behind the community she built in Caney, Kansas and many friends. Continuing in her strong and determined fashion, Suellen established herself with a large group of friends and with Christ the King Community Church in Gilpin County Colorado. Suellen volunteered her time at Ermel's Thrift Shop in Central City, of which the proceeds benefit the Gilpin County community. Suellen was always very giving of her time, and resources to help the causes she felt passionate about.
Suellen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Tasha Holtzman, her granddaughter Bea Holtzman, Her grandson and his wife, Gunner Troutman and Ashleigh Dangerfield, her great-grandson Benny Troutman, Her brother and his wife Tyke and Carolyn Toeller, her sister and her husband Rick and Teri Gregg. Suellen was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, her parents, and a brother Tucker. Suellen was so loved by all who knew her and she even left an impression on those who didn't know her with many describing her as "classy." She will be deeply missed.