Joshua John Coleman, 47, was called to heaven on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, surrounded by family at the University of Minnesota Medical Center after suffering a heart attack, stroke, and subsequent cardiac arrests.

Joshua was born on Oct. 24, 1977, in Grand Forks, ND, to Sheldon and Shirley Coleman. He was raised on the family farm in Eagle Point Township. He had one daughter, Hailey Coleman, born on Aug. 17, 2003, whom he loved deeply.

He worked for several area farmers including Landowski Farms, Keith Brown Trucking, and John Schumacher farms for several years before starting at Oakdale Farm, owned by his close friends Michael and Gary Jensen, in 2016.

For Josh or "Coleman" as his friends called him, farming wasn't just a job, it was his hobby and passion. He spent long hours seeding, harvesting, and making sure everything was running properly on the farm. Gary could often be heard saying, "Coleman is the boss I'm not."
He loved Gary and Kari Jo Jensen's children Trapper, Hawken, and Aurora like they were his own. They called him "Frunkle" because he was a friend who was an uncle to them. He was called "Auntie Joshy" by his other extended family he also loved, the Osowskis. He was a strong mentor to all of them as well as his brothers, Daniel and Nicholas, and nephew, Bransyn.

When he wasn't farming, Joshua thoroughly enjoyed fishing and went on several fishing trips to various areas with friends and family. He spent many winter evenings ice fishing in the fish house he helped build.

Josh loved his friends and would sit into the early morning hours visiting with whoever stopped by the shop or fish house to spend time with him. He made an impact on everyone he met and could be heard sharing his wisdom of farming and all it entails. He could do absolutely anything when it came to farming and would often be asked for advice from those who stopped by to visit. He was a friend and confidant to many.

He loved his family, both immediate and extended, deeply and enjoyed visiting the cabin at Pickerel Lake, Effie, Minn., with all of them. He was genuine and fiercely loyal to his closest friends and family members. He would do anything for any one of them on a moments notice. He was a strong, brilliant, witty man and a powerful inspiration to those who knew him. He will be deeply missed by every person who had the opportunity to know him and love him. He was a fighter and fought until his last breath.

He is survived by his daughter, Hailey; mother, Shirley Johnson Coleman; father, Sheldon (Shellie) Coleman; sister, Sarah Coleman; brothers, Daniel Coleman; Nicholas (Chelsea) Coleman; nephew, Bransyn McClellan; nieces, Cheridan Cook, Alexis McClellan, Harper and Paisley Coleman; great nephew, Walker; and great nieces, Brinzley and Amelia; several uncles, aunts, cousins, and his extended families.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Herbert and Jean Johnson and John and Shirley Coleman.

A celebration of Joshua's life will be held Friday, Dec. 13, at 11 a.m., in Skjeberg Lutheran Church, Teien Township. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at a later date.