Duane A. Draeger

Duane A. Draeger, 71, of Medford, died Thursday, August 21, 2025 with family and friends by his side at Mayo Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN after a seven-year battle with cancer.

He was born December 11, 1953 in Medford to Robert and Delores (Brushaber) Draeger. He graduated from Medford High School.

On February 20, 2000, he married Susan Wilhelms in Medford.  They had celebrated their 25 year anniversary this year, but had been together for 45 years.

Duane worked at Weather Shield in Medford for 45 years until his retirement in 2017. 

His hobbies were anything that involved being outside including hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, making firewood, and attending the grandkids sporting events. Duane was a jack of all trades, could fix anything and was often called to do so. Whether it was carpentry, electrical, mechanical or plumbing, Duane could either fix it or improve it! 

He is survived by his wife, Sue of Medford; children, Corey Thums of Medford, Katie Draeger of Milwaukee, Keith (Stoney) Thums of Aurora, CO, Kristy (Shawn) Draeger of Port Wentworth, GA, Tara (Shane) Czarnezki of Medford, Devin (Jen) Draeger of Medford; grandchildren, Cash, Ty, Sasha, Shelby, Tatum, Eva, Eli, Walter, Leslie, Emma, Evan, Isaac and Addison; great-grandchildren, Vinny and Jett; siblings, Janet (Ned) Fischer, Allen Draeger, Leroy (Marge) Draeger, and Marlene Gajda, Donald (Carol) Draeger, Carol (Gary) Kurth, Sharon Ruback, Eugene Draeger, Laura (Kerry) Holm, Cynthia “Cindy” (Jim) Annala & Brian Draeger; in-laws, Marlene Powers and Dan Wilhelms; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law, Walter and Isabelle Wilhelms; a brother, Ervin; a son, Jason, in infancy; and a granddaughter, Tori Czarnezki.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, September 1, 2025 at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home in Medford with Pastor Barb Krug, SAM, officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the time of service at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

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