Susan Jane Haycraft

Susan Jane “Sue” (Houg) Haycraft, age 68, passed away peacefully at her home in Lewisville, Minnesota, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 4:00–6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the funeral home and again one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Pastor Eileen Woyen will officiate.

Sue was born on March 7, 1958, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Kenneth and Janice Houg. She had a lifelong love of learning and eagerly embraced new challenges and experiences. She attended the Mankato Area Vocational Technical Institute from 1982–1984, earning a degree in Agri-Business Sales and Management, and later graduated from Mankato Technical Institute in 1989 with a degree in Accounting. In 2008, she completed coursework through the University of Minnesota to become a certified Master Gardener.

Sue devoted much of her life to serving both her community and the people around her. She worked with Region 9 Development Commission and was involved in organizations and projects including Watonwan County Habitat for Humanity, the Peace Pole Committee, the Business and Professional Women Network, and the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. She proudly served as Mayor of Lewisville and volunteered for many years with the Lewisville Daze celebration.

Sue dedicated 25 years to the United States Postal Service, serving as a supervisor and postmaster in Lewisville and surrounding communities.

While Sue’s professional and community accomplishments were many, her greatest joy was creating beauty and welcoming spaces for others to enjoy. With the help of her husband Mike, she transformed their farm into an outdoor masterpiece filled with vibrant gardens, winding walking paths, and peaceful gathering spaces. Friends, neighbors, and visitors often stopped by simply to tour and enjoy the spaces she lovingly created. Sue also enjoyed designing and painting barn quilts, many of which decorate the family farm and homes throughout the area. Her farm proudly became part of the local barn quilt tour.

Above all else, Sue cherished being a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Sue is survived by her husband, Mike; children Dustin (Missy) Devens, Joshua Devens, Jerome (Christina) Haycraft, Audrie Haycraft, and Renae (Chris) Kost; grandchildren Bobby Budach, Sophie Budach, Dean Devens, Kanan Devens, Rex Devens, Coraline Kost, Jameson Haycraft, Charles Haycraft, and Benjamin Haycraft; her mother, Janice Houg; brothers Scott Houg and Jeff Houg; along with many extended family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Houg; children Ryan Budach, Matthew Budach, and Jessica Budach; sister Julie Houg; and grandparents Clarence and Sena Flatness and Merton and Lila Houg.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many friends, family members, and healthcare providers who offered support, kindness, and care throughout Sue’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be made to the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund.

The service will be live-streamed, and can be watched below, or from the following link: https://youtube.com/live/5QdRNSRB1ek?feature=share