Susan Graff Mills
Susan D. Graff Mills, 65, Fargo, ND died on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 in her home at Pioneer House after fighting a three year courageous battle against cancer.
Susan Diane Graff was born April 7, 1953, the daughter of Harold and Phyllis (Gulsvig) Graff. As a young child, she lived with her family on the family farm in rural Davenport, ND until Harold’s death. The family moved to Fargo and then to Kindred, ND where Susan attended and graduated from high school. After her high school graduation, she attended North Dakota State University and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Home Economics. Susan later attended Augsburg College and earned her master’s degree in Social Work. Susan married Wayne Mills in 1983 at Coon Rapids, MN and together they had one daughter, Nicolle.
Sue’s professional career was as social worker working primarily with teen age moms for different counties as she moved to different locations. She began her career with Cass County Social Services and in 1978, moved to the Medford, OR and later to Portland OR where she worked for Multnomah County Social Services. Susan moved in 1981 to Ham Lake, MN and from there lived in various locations in the Minneapolis metro area while working for Jordan County Social Services and later retired from Anoka County Social Services.
Susan had many passions during her life and committed herself 100% to them. Among them were scuba diving, traveling, horses and owning a hobby farm in the Loretto, MN area. Susan traveled and dived off the countries/islands of Grand Cayman, Honduras, Belize, Bonaire and the Dead Sea in Egypt. She became an accomplished horsewoman riding thoroughbreds and was an active member of the Long Lake Hounds Hunt Club.
Susan is survived by her daughter, Nicolle Mills Calhoun of Richfield, MN; sisters Nancy (Mark) Granberg, Fargo and Cindy (Vern) Thompson, Fargo; nieces Kari Granberg, Fargo and Kelsey (Jim) Moe, West Fargo, Kathryn Thompson, Fargo; and nephew Will Thompson, Fargo; great-nieces Isabelle Pickette and Avery Moe; and many other very dear cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo preceded by a time of visitation from 1 – 2 p.m.
Susan’s family would like to thank the staff at Pioneer House for the care and compassion they showed her. Their willingness to allow Susan to remain in her home was greatly appreciated by us. The family would also like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley for their services and care.
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The truest of friends. I think of her now in the Happy Hunting Hrounds reunited with her beloved horses and dogs.
It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to Susan. I know she is in a better place and she is galloping on her favorite horse through the heavens. She was a remarkable young woman, who tested many parts of life, both the highs and the lows. She always had a smile whenever I met up with her. And she had energy that just went on and on.
Godspeed dear one and great wishes to her sisters and care team. You made a difference in her later life.
Most sincerely, Cindy Piper, Friend, Admirer, Retired MFH of the Long Lake Hounds and past DC of the North Star Pony Club, which was where I met her as a leader to her daughter in Pony Club.
My deepest condolences to all- Susan was a wonderful person who will be missed. I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to know her. She is in a better place now. God Bless
PEACEFUL JOURNEY MY FRIEND. VICTORY IS YOURS.
*What an Awesome Lady*
I only worked with Susan for a short amount of time, but during that time I got to find out how amazing she was. I also found out that Susan was blessed with an amazing family. I will miss our late night chats. I really enjoyed watching the video. I’m very sorry for your lost she will be greatly missed. I’m thankful she is at peace now.
Sue and I worked together early in our social work careers at Cass County Social Services. She was vibrant, well-liked and respected. Deepest sympathy to all.
My sympathy to Susan’s family, care givers and many friends. We have all lost a wonderful friend who brought much joy to us. I enjoyed the time I spent with Susan mostly with The Long Lake Hounds activites. What great energy and commitment she brought to these events. I am glad she is now in peae.
Sue-
Tonight I was reflecting on life and I thought boy, I’m going to look up Sue! I always wanted to reconnect in life but of course time has a way of getting away from us. I’m absolutely devastated to learn of your passing. You were such an amazing woman. Boy I tell ya the most free spirited woman I knew. You were always so honest and so caring with me. All those mom to mom talks.. and that extra time you would spend with me even though you really didn’t need to do so.. ugh just heartbreaking I can’t show you where I am in life today. You are part of the reason I’m almost done becoming a social worker. I do have to laugh though at one memory. I will never in my life forget the last voicemail I ever got from you 🙂 You clearly had just found out I moved away from down the road of your old work and boy were you pist/scared. You called me and said “Erica…(whispering in the phone) I don’t know how you did or how or where you are… but you call me back right now and let me know your ok.. and then you quietly yelled I mean it!”. I laughed so hard because I could just picture you calling me. I remember trying to stop in to see you one day a few weeks later but you out for the day and I guess I never came back and I regret that. I know in my heart of hearts you just wanted to know that Isiah and I were ok. gosh I sure did love you! I’m certain you are the most beautiful angel out there in heaven.