Derald B. "Smokey" Suoja, 69, of Superior, Wis. died Fri., Jan. 14, 2011 in Villa-Marina Health & Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in Superior on June 25, 1941 and lived here most of his life with the exception of a time frame in the fifty's and sixty's when he was a resident of Rockford, Ill. where he attended their school system.

Upon moving to Superior he was employed by Ham Anderson's Standard Station and Vandreissche's Allouez Garage. On Jan. 15, 1969 he was hired by the Superior Police Department and retired with the rank of Sgt. on July 20, 1994.

He enjoyed the game of golf and after his retirement from the S. P. D. he found employment at his favorite golf course, the Pattison Park Golf Course.

He was an avid Packer fan and had also enjoyed bowling on the Wednesday Night Commercial League and the Thursday Night League at Waletzko's. He liked maintaining his home and yard and was very generous with his time helping his neighbors with their yard work.

His memberships included St. Francis Xavier Church, W. P. P. A. Local No. 27, B. P. O. E. Lodge No. 403, Moose Lodge No. 606, and the Wed. Night Cribbage League (his expertise at cards was well known).

He and the former Marcia Cockson were united in marriage on Apr. 8, 1983 in Superior and during their twenty-seven years of marriage they traveled extensively.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Delores "Dee" (Dalbec) and Oswald Suoja and his grandparents, Agnes and Willard Dalbec.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife; five children, Lynn (Neil Jardine) Suoja of Iron River, Wis., Lisa (Thomas) Moe of South Range, Wis., Laurie Paolicelli of Chapel Hill, N. C.,
Michael Smith of Superior and Denise Lisdahl of Duluth, Minn.; two grandchildren, Marisa Hall of Mesa, Ariz. and Cara Paolicelli of Chapel Hill, N. C.; a brother, Gary Suoja of Seattle, Wash.; two sisters, Suzanne (Jerry) Merwin of Rockford, Ill. and Kimberly Suoja of Madison, Wis.; nieces and nephews; a special uncle, Arne (Ruth Ann) Dalbec of Superior; a special aunt, Eleanor Dalbec of Superior; and his former wife, Carol Daviduski of Superior.

The Superior Police Department Honor Guard will be in attendance at both the visitation and the funeral mass. Pallbearers will be Rick Davern, Tom Lundgren, Ed Kurtz, Bob Anderson, Tom Moe and Arne Dalbec.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. in Downs Funeral Home, corner of Ogden Ave. & 19th St., on Tues., Jan. 18th. A scripture service will be at 7:00 p.m. with Fr. James Tobolski officiating. Visitation will resume at 10:00 a.m. on Wed., Jan. 19th in St. Francis Xavier Church,
corner of 24th Ave. E. & E. 3rd St. and will continue until the 11:00 a.m. Mass Of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. James Tobolski as Celebrant. Committal prayers will take place at Calvary Cemetery.