John Richard Drees

John Richard Drees 68 of Grand forks, ND passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday September 27th surrounded by family after a battle with cancer. He was loved and respected throughout the community where he has lived for nearly all of his years. He touched many lives throughout his own as a son, a brother, a farmer, a husband, a friend, a father, a grand father and a mentor. John was born on Sept 5, 1946 to Albert Drees Sr. and Ethel and was the youngest of 10 children on the family farm just south of Grand Forks. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He attended Immanuel Lutheran Church School until his Freshman year then graduated from Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN in 1964. He recently, in 1999, received the Top Aggie Award for his various community and civic duties in working with families and children. John proudly served his nation in the United States Army Reserves from 1966-71 as a cook and was in Reserves summer camp in Aurora, CO, when he met his future wife and soul mate. On November 28th 1970 he married his wife Vivian (Jestin) Drees and they settled on the family farm where they raised 7 children. He opened his home and his heart to many children in need as a foster parent and always considered any children in his home for any length of time, his kids. From 1969-1998 he farmed south of Grand Forks with his brothers and nephews as part of Drees Farming Association raising seed potatoes, beets and grains. He and his wife began working with Grand Forks County as Foster Parents in 1975 and by the time they "retired", 28 children had been taken in and given all the love and support that they needed. His sense of civic duty led him to many local boards and councils including: Grand Forks Trail Water Users Grand Forks Township Board of Directors Thompson Rural Fire Dept Board LISTEN Board of Directors ARC Board of Directors Grand Forks Planning & Zoning Board He was an active member of Sharon Lutheran Church until his passing and for the past decade or so has been working to develop Wheatland Acres - a new housing development and neighborhood on the property around his home. John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Albert Drees Jr. and Donald, and sisters Mary, Doris, and Dorothy. He is survived by his wife of 44 years Vivian, and his children, Anthony -Denver CO) Troy (Kim) Apple Valley MN, Steve (Vanessa) - Montgomery AL, Aaron (Amy)- Grand Forks, Heather -Grand Forks, Matthew (Angie) Grand Forks, Bethany Hooser (Nathan) -Grand Forks. Also siblings Paul Drees (Linda) Bemidji, MN, Donna (Ron) Widenhoefer - Albert Lea, MN, Kathy Miller Fosston, MN, Violet (Guy) Okeson - Benton TX, Sister in law Diana Drees of Thompson, ND, in laws Dale and Shirley Jestin of Brandon, MB as well as his 17 much loved, grand-children. Visitation will be Wednesday October 1st at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks from 4:00-7:00 followed by a prayer service. His family will bring him to his final resting place on Thursday Oct 2 in a private service.