Susan Eck, aged 68, of Bemidji, Minnesota, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Her life, deeply rooted in community and family, will be honored in the coming days.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Bemidji Covenant Church. Prior to the service, a visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Bemidji Covenant Church, providing an opportunity for friends and family to gather and pay their respects. Following the service, Susan will be laid to rest at Rosendahl Cemetery in Goodridge, Minnesota.
Born on November 14, 1955, in Thief River Falls, MN, Susan was the daughter of Herbert and Marion (Erickson) Vraa. Her upbringing in Goodridge, MN, was shaped by the values of a dairy farm family, instilling in her a strong work ethic and appreciation for community. Susan was baptized and confirmed at Ekelund Lutheran Church, marking the beginning of a lifelong faith journey. A 1974 graduate of Goodridge High School, Susan’s pursuit of knowledge led her to Bemidji, MN, where she attended Bemidji State University. Bemidji became her long-term home where she built her family and career.
In August 1990, Susan married Butch Eck in Bemidji, MN, embarking on a new chapter filled with love and partnership. The arrival of their son, Jesse Joel, in 1992, marked a pivotal moment in Susan’s life. From that day forward, she dedicated herself to being the most devoted and supportive mother possible. Her commitment to her family was paramount, and she poured her heart into nurturing Jesse and creating a loving home.
Susan’s professional life was dedicated to education as an elementary teacher. She found immense joy and fulfillment in shaping young minds and fostering a love of learning in her students. Beyond her classroom, Susan’s passions were diverse and enriching. She cherished her role as a grandmother to her three grandchildren, finding immense delight in their laughter and milestones. Photography captured her artistic eye, allowing her to preserve precious moments and appreciate the beauty around her. An avid gardener, Susan cultivated vibrant blooms and nurtured life in her garden, mirroring the care she extended to those around her. Reading provided her with solace and intellectual stimulation, opening doors to new worlds and perspectives. Known for her culinary talents, Susan’s homemade soup and glorified rice were family favorites, bringing comfort and warmth to gatherings. Her faith remained a cornerstone of her life, evident in her active membership at Bemidji Covenant Church, where she found community and spiritual nourishment. Susan’s warm and generous spirit touched many. She was deeply loved by her grandchildren, cherished by family and friends, and respected by her colleagues. Her passion for learning, her dedication to teaching, and her unwavering faith were hallmarks of her life, leaving a lasting impact on the children she taught and all who knew her.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, Selmer and Bertha Erickson, and Gilbert and Helen Vraa.
She is lovingly remembered and survived by her son, Jesse (Taylor) Eck of Bemidji, MN; her adored grandchildren, Dawson, Emma, and Hadley; her siblings, Gary (Valerie) Vraa, David Vraa, Donald (Berny) Vraa, Richard Vraa, and Marilyn (Robert) Vraa; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
May Susan Eck’s memory be eternally blessed and bring comfort to all who mourn her passing.
