Mrs. Susan Marie Graner

Susie (Giles) Graner passed away in her home in Mendota Heights, MN on July 12th. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, the youngest of three born to John and Audraine Giles. She spent most of her early years in Omaha, Nebraska. She treasured her neighborhood, family life, and childhood friends, recalling them often with story and smiles. In the middle of her sixth grade year, Susie moved to Minot, ND, a difficult move made harder by the upcoming Minot flood and teacher’s strike. This transition was made easier by ice skating daily with brother Steve. Eventually, new lifelong friends were made as Susie’s life expanded to include sports, cheerleading, an active social life, and her love of singing. She sang in church choir, school choir and Change of Pace, the show choir she loved most. Her children, Luke, Sarah, and Stef followed her example. Susie graduated high school in 1975, attended UND for one year, and then returned to Minot after a memorable summer life-guarding at Lake Metigoshe State Park. While deciding her next move, she worked a few different jobs including her favorite one at Red Owl. Her next move was a reluctant surprise. She met future husband Steve, a summer intern at Immanuel Baptist Church. While she had deep respect for her parents’ marriage and mission, following in their footsteps was not in the cards. Steve was kept at arm’s length. When she found out Steve was going to be a teacher, things changed. They became close friends and eventually fell in love after a camping, canoeing trip to the Turtle Mountains with youth leaders, Paul and Cheryl. They paddled, climbed birch trees, swung limb to limb, and sang in harmony, a powerful mix that led to lifelong romance and marriage of over 40 years. The two year plan for starting a family became the two month plan. Luke was born the day after the first anniversary with Sarah and Stef coming 2+ years apart--plan now working. Susie became busy doing her favorite job: being a Mom. She sacrificed her own career dreams to stay home with her kids. This prepared her well for her next best job: Grandma. She held this job the rest of her life. No one can think of Susie without remembering her smile, her beautiful eyes, and her voice. She was musical harmony embodied. Her gift of discernment always made her aware of the needs of others. Her giving nature always did something about it. Singing and dancing her part is a strong metaphor for how she lived. She was often teased about always looking for another note in the chord. She was that other note. She was that grace-filled dance partner. Faith in God through Christ sustained her in everyday life and at the end of life. She had no fear of dying as long as she knew everyone else would be all right. When she passed to “that place prepared for her”, she gave us a subtle smile, and we knew she was all right too. Susie is survived by her husband Steve, her parents John and Audraine Giles, her sister Sally Jones (Rodd), brother Steve Giles (Claire), son Luke Graner(Jacey), daughter Sarah Maslowski (Josh), and daughter Stephanie Graner (Logan). She leaves eight grandchildren: Jaxon, Hudson, Kingston and Anderson Graner—twins Kaya and Bela Maslowski—Lily Graner and Moon Gillespie with one more Gillespie on the way. She treasured her 15 nieces and nephews and her 9 great nieces and nephews. Her in laws Colleen and Jerry Murrey, Gordy and Ardell Graner, LeRoy and Susie Kambeitz, and Lauree and Jesse Hellman were a constant source of joy for her. She made great friends everywhere she lived, friends too numerous to list. She remembered them all. The angel choir has added a new voice and a few new notes in the chord. Susie was set free from her cancer on July 12th, and we all rejoice in the peaceful harmony that surrounds her in heaven. Susie’s life will be celebrated in Minneapolis at St. Stephen Lutheran Church of Bloomington, MN on Sunday, July 21st at 4pm. This will be followed by a Memorial Service at Immanuel Baptist Church in Minot, ND at 11am on July 23rd. Burial will be at the Regan, ND Cemetery on July 24th, also at 11am. In all places we will celebrate with music, story, and the lessons of faith she passed on to all who knew her. Then she will rest in God’s grace. Per Susie’s wishes, memorials will be used to help establish a scholarship fund for youth mission trips at St. Stephen and for scholarship students at the Mountain Dojo in Albuquerque, a mission largely dedicated to serving children with autism.

Tributes

Mrs. Susan Marie Graner

March 21, 1957 - July 12, 2019

Tributes

Mrs. Susan Marie Graner

March 21, 1957 - July 12, 2019

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