Susan Diane (Olson) Draheim

Susan Draheim, 79, of Willmar, passed away Tuesday, August 25, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. Her funeral service will be 10:30 am, Saturday, September 12, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar and will be streamed on the church's YouTube page.  Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 pm Friday, September 11, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to her service at the church on Saturday.  Burial is in Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes in Willmar. 

Susan Diane (Olson) Draheim was born July 18, 1947, in Willmar, Minnesota, to Gerald and Deloris Olson. She grew up in Willmar and graduated from Willmar High School in 1965.

Following high school, Susan attended Willmar Technical College. After graduating, she moved to Minneapolis and began working at the University of Minnesota. A year later, she moved to St. Paul and worked at the University’s St. Paul campus in the Horticulture Department.

On June 15, 1967, Susan married William “Bill” Draheim in Willmar. They were blessed with three children: Tammy Jo, Willy, and Peter. Susan and Bill first made their home in Olivia before moving to the Draheim family farm near Olivia, where they farmed for 17 years.

They later moved to Willmar, where Susan worked at Pamida, Eastgate Café, Super 8 Motel, Bixby’s, Herberger's, and CashWise. She retired early to care for her aging parents. In 2021, Susan moved to Bethesda Grand in Willmar, where she resided until her death. Her family would like to thank the staff at Bethesda Grand for the excellent and compassionate care they provided Susan.

Susan is survived by her two children, Tammi Jo Draheim of St. Paul and Peter Draheim of Rochester; two granddaughters, Katelyn and Ella of Rochester; her brothers, Richard (Wendy) Olson and Jeffrey Olson, both of Willmar; and three nieces and a nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Deloris Olson; her husband, Bill, in 2022; her son, Willy, in 2010; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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