James “Jim” Leonard Draper

James “Jim” Leonard Draper went home on August 5, 2024 after his battle with pancreatic cancer.  

Jim was born on December 21, 1947 in Rockford Ill., to Wendell and LaVonne (Stahr) Draper. They lived in lowa until 1958 when they moved to a farm near Highland, Minn.  

Jim graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1966 and attended one year of college at Winona State. He then returned home to help his parents on the family farm.  

On July 25, 1970, he married the love of his life, Karen Hadoff and they settled on a farm near Highland. They were blessed with two children, Stefanie (Gary) Gartner and Brandon (Elizabeth) Draper. Besides farming, Jim worked at the sales barn in Lanesboro, the ASCS office in Preston and was an over the road truck driver for United Van Lines out of Rochester. He became a substitute rural mail carrier out of the Whalan Post Office and then transitioned into a full time rural mail carrier for the Lanesboro Post Office. Jim retired from the Lanesboro Post Office in 2012 and devoted himself to farming and his family. 

He is survived by his wife Karen of 54 years, his two children, four grandchildren: Kolby and Madilyn Gartner and Jolie and Boden Draper; his brother Ron Draper and two sisters, Barb Auman and Pam Mueller. 

He is preceeded in death by his parents, brothers Larry and Lee Draper, his father-in-law Truman Hadoff and sisters-in-law Julie Hadoff and Carol Hadoff. 

We would like to thank all the family, friends, and neighbors for all their prayers and support over the last couple of years. We would also like to thank St. Croix Hospice and Gundersen Lutheran Oncology staff for their care.  

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Highland Lutheran Church, rural Lanesboro. Lunch will be provided at the church. A graveside burial service will be after visitation.

Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.