Edmund D. Draheim, 84, of Owatonna, died unexpectedly on Friday, March 20, 2026, at his winter home in Ft. Myers, Fla. of sudden heart failure. He was a long-time teacher and coach in the Owatonna Public Schools, a husband, father, grandfather, athlete, avid sports fan, reader, golfer, fisherman, volunteer and traveler.

He was born Jan. 20, 1942, to Gladys and Edmund Draheim in Austin, MN, and attended Austin Public Schools, graduating in 1960. He was a three-sport athlete and held school records for many years as a quarterback in football passing and rushing. He earned his BS in physical education and math from Mankato State University in 1964 and a MA in physical education in 1967. He taught and coached in Backus and Grand Meadow before joining the Owatonna Public Schools teaching and coaching staff in 1968. He retired in 1998.

In his early days in Owatonna, he was the Owatonna Junior High School basketball coach, served two years as assistant track coach and five years as the junior high golf coach. He created the OHS girls fastpitch softball program in 1978 and was the varsity head coach from 1978-1987 with 10 winning seasons and a career record of 119-62. He created the adaptive phy ed program and an elective course in weight training. Coach was involved with OHS varsity football from 1968-1998 and after retirement, he was on the chain gang for many years.

He met Jane Slater, an English teacher in Red Wing at the time, and they married 50 years ago on Dec. 20, 1975. Both active in the community, they also spent many summers building their cabin near Nisswa where they learned construction skills. They were also U.S. and world travelers, visiting many European countries including time in their heritage countries (Germany for Ed, Sweden for Jane) as well as Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania.

In addition to coaching, he was a basketball referee, a baseball umpire, summer director of the Owatonna Park and Recreation department, served on the park and recreation board, was a founder of the Owatonna touch football league, and OBA coach. He was a negotiator and president for the Owatonna Education Association, served on the board of directors for the Minnesota Education Association, mentored students and graduates, and was a broadcaster on local radio.

Retirement didn't slow him down. He remained a faithful attendee at Owatonna school activities, attended and ushered at Trinity Lutheran Church, went to his grandchildren's and nieces and nephews events, played golf, fished, worked out daily, and had coffee with his group five days a week when he was in town. He and Jane were snowbirds in Ft. Myers and not content to just hang out, he parked cars for the Twins for 19 years during spring training.

He was named the Big Nine coach of the year for girls softball in 1982. He received the Butch Nash Award for outstanding assistant coach of the year in Minnesota in 1988. In 1993, he was given the Outstanding Supporter Award by the Owatonna Wrestling Association.

Ed received the 2012 Educator Award for outstanding community service and leadership from the Retired Educators Association of Minnesota (REAM). He was inducted into the OHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 for his work in softball, football, track, golf and basketball and in 2017 was inducted into the Austin High School athletic hall of fame.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; children from his first marriage, a son, Peter (Jennifer) Draheim of Minneapolis; daughter, Heidi (Troy) Draheim Dedrickson of Oakdale; three grandchildren, Josie Draheim, Burke Draheim and Jacob Dedrickson; a brother, Charles (Peggy) of Mankato; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Poppe of Minneapolis and Joan Slater of St. Ignace, Mi., one brother-in-law, John (Sue) of Nisswa, nieces and nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David.

A visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 4 to 7 pm. A funeral service will be at 11 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Committal will be at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the #761 Foundation Hall of Fame fund, or to Trinity Lutheran Church.