Susan Kraushaar

Susan (Hansen) Kraushaar, 86, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025 at the St. Johns Woodlands Campus in Albert Lea, MN. A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN, with a visitation held an hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service, with interment at Graceland Cemetery. Pastor Kelly Heide will be officiating.

Susan Karen “Sue” Kraushaar passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, at the age of 86, surrounded by the love of her family. Sue was the fourth child of the late Russel A. Hansen and Lorraine (Lucken) Hansen. She was baptized at First Baptist Church and confirmed in her faith at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, MN, and later became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Sue married the love of her life, Roy Kraushaar, on August 18, 1956, in Bethany Hall. Though life took them on separate paths for a time, true love prevailed, and they remarried on October 14, 1989, once again in Bethany Hall at First Lutheran Church. Together they raised three daughters: Lynne, Paula, and Karla.

She attended Ramsey School and graduated with the Albert Lea High School Class of 1956. Sue worked for many years at Land O’Lakes, later continuing her career at Schweigert Foods until retirement. Never one to sit idle, she then joined the lunchroom staff at Southwest Middle School, where she worked until 2006. Sue was known for her love of shopping, whether at Herberger’s, Yonkers, or local rummage sales with her dear friend Carlyce. She delighted in collecting Depression glass—especially creamers and sugars—and cherished her Denim Days figurines. She was happiest when surrounded by family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A talented cook and baker, no one ever left her home hungry. Christmas was a special time, filled with baking cookies alongside Karla and the grandkids—a tradition treasured by all.

Sue and Roy enjoyed traveling to Idaho to visit Paula and her family, as well as vacationing in northern Minnesota for fishing trips and relaxing at the lake. Evenings out at the Elks or Eagles with Lynne and Larry, or dear friends, were some of her favorite times.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roy (2005); parents Russel and Lorraine; in-laws Joseph and Stella Kraushaar; sister Margaret Hansen Richards Sucker; brothers-in-law Bob Richards and Donald Sucker; brother James Hansen and sister-in-law Hilda Hansen.

Sue is lovingly remembered by her sister Marilyn (David) Stadheim; her daughters Lynne (Larry) Anderson, Paula (Gordon) Rhiger, and Karla (Mike) Thompson; grandchildren Tami (Anthony) Charlton, Scott Anderson, Brandon (Dustee) Rhiger, Elizabeth Rhiger Doherty (and special friend Evan Wenzler), Megan (Michael) Rauenhorst, and Brooke Thompson (and special friend Jon LiCausi); great-grandchildren Katelynn Charlton, Chandler Charlton, Taven Rhiger (and fiancée Kali Brown), Paislee Rhiger, Makenzie Rauenhorst, and Macklin Rauenhorst; and great-great-grandchildren Remmington and Jaxson Rhiger. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the 3rd Floor staff at St. John’s Woodlands and to St. Croix Hospice for their loving care of Sue.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice or a charity of your choice in Sue’s memory.

Sue was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-greatgrandmother. Her smile, strong spirit, and knack for getting things done her way will be deeply missed. She was truly one of a kind. Rest in peace.