James 'Jim' Draeger
d. April 15, 2014
James “Jim” Ronald Draeger was born September 26, 1929 in rural Montevideo, Minnesota to Julius and Selma (Spletter) Draeger. He was baptized October 20, 1929 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Montevideo. He was confirmed July 18, 1943, also at St John’s Lutheran. Jim attended school in both Montevideo and Maynard and graduated from Maynard High School in 1947. He enjoyed playing both football and baseball while in school. After graduation, he continued to farm with his Dad until age 26. He then joined the Army and was stationed in Maryland and Fort Myer, Virginia. While in the service, he took courses at Camp Chaffe, Arkansas to become an Intermediate Speed Radio Operator. After his honorable discharge in 1957, he became employed with the United States Postal Service in St Paul. He was later transferred to the Montevideo Post Office in 1958. Jim met Sandra Hochstein at a dance at Glady’s Ballroom in Montevideo. They were married June 3, 1962 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Montevideo. Together they raised three daughters. Jim retired from the post office in June of 1990.
Jim’s family was very important to him and he enjoyed spending time with them. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and all of their activities and accomplishments. Jim was a big sports fan and enjoyed watching baseball and football games. He shared his love of baseball with his grandsons, by making sure a game was played at almost every family gathering. He played on several bowling and golf leagues throughout the years. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding bike. Jim and Sandy enjoyed several vacations and cruises to many locations around the world, including Venezuela, Hawaii, Germany, Cancun, the Bahamas, Alaska and Jamaica.
James died April 15th, 2014 at the Luther Haven Nursing Home of Montevideo, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He is survived by daughters: Kelly (Michael) Anderson of Montevideo, Nancy (Kevin) Knight of Alexandria and Nicole Draeger of Minneapolis; grandsons: Derek and Travis Anderson, Jeremy and Erik Knight; sisters: Lorraine Norman of Minnetonka and Donna Witzany of Waite Park and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Ervin and Marvin Draeger and his wife of fifty years, Sandra, in 2012.
Jim’s family was very important to him and he enjoyed spending time with them. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and all of their activities and accomplishments. Jim was a big sports fan and enjoyed watching baseball and football games. He shared his love of baseball with his grandsons, by making sure a game was played at almost every family gathering. He played on several bowling and golf leagues throughout the years. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding bike. Jim and Sandy enjoyed several vacations and cruises to many locations around the world, including Venezuela, Hawaii, Germany, Cancun, the Bahamas, Alaska and Jamaica.
James died April 15th, 2014 at the Luther Haven Nursing Home of Montevideo, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He is survived by daughters: Kelly (Michael) Anderson of Montevideo, Nancy (Kevin) Knight of Alexandria and Nicole Draeger of Minneapolis; grandsons: Derek and Travis Anderson, Jeremy and Erik Knight; sisters: Lorraine Norman of Minnetonka and Donna Witzany of Waite Park and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Ervin and Marvin Draeger and his wife of fifty years, Sandra, in 2012.
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