Suzanne Schottel

Loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother

Suzanne Blacke was born on April 18, 1954, in Denver, Colorado, to William Railey Blacke and Frances Irene Hinkle, who later remarried and became Frances Irene Clapper. She attended school in the Denver area and enjoyed a lively childhood with her brothers Stephen, William, and Reginald, later welcoming her sister Julia.

Suzanne was the proud mother of four children: Michelle, Brett, Angie, and Jack. She primarily raised them on her own until March 1990, when she married Jewel Schottel. Suzanne and Jewel later divorced in 2019. Jewel preceded her in death in 2023.

Suzanne held many jobs throughout her life, but she found her calling in law enforcement. She earned her POST certification through the Delta-Montrose Vocational School and began working at the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office in 1987 as a correctional officer. She retired in 1999 and later served as a deputy with the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office from 2000 - 2006. She returned to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office as a communications officer from 2006 to 2015 and concluded her law enforcement career at WestCo Dispatch in 2018.

Suzanne raised her children with a firm and loving hand, helping them grow into strong, independent, and considerate adults. Her children and grandchildren could always count on her for advice, a delicious home-cooked meal, a sense of humor, sometimes at the most unexpected or inappropriate moments, and Always unconditional love.

She cherished time with family, whether she was playing games, listening to music and dancing, cooking for holidays and special occasions, or sharing treasured memories. Suzanne also loved the outdoors and found joy in gardening, tending flowers, fishing, and riding her four-wheeler in the mountains. Her love for animals earned her the affectionate nickname “Dr. Doolittle” among family and friends.

Suzanne will be remembered for her sense of humor, her compassion for others, and her willingness to speak her mind. She was quick with a joke to lighten the mood and equally ready to offer comfort and counsel in times of trouble.

After a long-fought battle with cancer, Suzanne is now at peace. Her legacy lives on through her family and all who loved her.

Children: Michelle Rae McKeehan; Brett Russell McKeehan (Jacque); Angela Jean Walraven; and Jack Russell McKeehan III.

Grandchildren: Nickolas William Chamblin Larkins (Rachel), Reanna Mae Lawhorn, Dawson Railey Walraven, Garrett Lynn Walraven (Anayeli), Colton Blake Walraven, Joshua Lee Walraven, Jeremy Lynn Walraven (Katelyn), and Jacob Landon Walraven; their father, Robert Lynn Walraven; her great-grandchildren, Liliana Mae Jones, Reign Elizabeth Larkins, Whitlee, Isaac, Athena, and Jacob Jr. Walraven; her siblings, Reginald Blacke (Patty) and Julia Stockemer (Scott); and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Railey Blacke (June); her mother, Frances Irene Clapper (Paul); and her brothers, Stephen and William Blacke.