Pauline Jo Tolmans

It is with great sadness that the family of Pauline Jo Tolman announces her passing after she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon and liver cancer. Pauline, 56, passed away in Santa Cruz, California surrounded by two of her sisters Peggy Tolman, Patricia Lewis and Pat's husband Ross Lewis.

A Celebration Dinner will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Eckles Town Hall, 9735 Cardinal Road NW, Bemidji. Please bring your memories to share.

A native of Bemidji, Pauline attended Northern Elementary School and graduated from Bemidji High School in 1979. She received her bachelor's degree in art from BSU in Bemidji. After graduation, she moved to New York City and then Florida, where she stayed with her parents before moving to Delray, FL. Pauline liked the adventures of the big cities so she moved to Chicago and later to Sacramento, CA, where her artwork took off. Her passion was metal artwork, where she left her beautiful mark in various places throughout the cities. Her other passion was serving customers in great restaurants.

Pauline's travels took her to San Francisco, her residence at the time of her death.

Last summer, she collaborated with others on a sculpture called "Tara Mechani" which is on display until June 9th at San Jose Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

Pauline was full of life. She loved nature and all outdoor activities, such as riding her bike, going as far as riding the 540 miles from San Francisco to San Diego to raise awareness and money for the American Arthritis Foundation. She also loved kayaking, hiking, camping, snowboarding, nature photography and exploring new places.

Family that welcomes Pauline home are her parents Alvin and Della Tolman and her grandparents.

She is survived by her brother Bill (Judy) Tolman of Bemidji; sister Penny (Allen) Evans of Bemidji; sister Patricia (Ross) Lewis of Bemidji; sister Pamela (Joel) Haakonson of Zimmerman, MN; and sister Peggy Tolman of Mesa, AZ.

Pauline also leaves behind all of her beloved nieces and nephews. Six nieces, five nephews, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pauline Jo Tolmans, please visit our floral store.