Donald Leroy Drees

Donald Leroy Drees, was taken to his Heavenly Home on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. Don was born December 4, 1937 to Albert and Ethel (Kuster) Drees, the middle child of 10 children. He started school at Merrifield School #115, then Immanuel Lutheran School, graduating from Grand Forks Central in 1955. He was married to Diana Spidahl on June 20, 1959. He farmed north of Thompson until 1969 and then became the manager of Merrifield Grain Co. until 1981. Returning to farming and construction (Don Drees & Sons) he retired in 2001. Don was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving as President for two terms. He served the boards of Thompson Rural Fire Dept and Thompson Oil Co. He loved working outside, landscaping and helping others. He very much enjoyed his grand and great-grandchildren, and attending Fighting Sioux Hockey for 28 years. Don is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diana; sons, Douglas (Terry) Drees, Grand Forks, Dean (Sandy) Drees, Thompson; daughter, Darla (Dan) Schuman, Grand Forks; grandchildren, Dylan Drees, Danielle Erickson, Sydney and Taylor Drees; great-grandchildren, Paige Erickson and Jasmine Drees; brothers, Paul (Linda) Drees, Bemidji, MN, John (Vivian) Drees, Grand Forks; sisters, Donna (Ronald) Widenhoefer, Albert Lea, MN, Doris Rachow, Hillsboro, ND, Violet (Gyman) Okeson, Belton, TX, Dorothy Schroeter, West Fargo, ND, and Kathy Miller, Lengby, MN. Many cousins, nieces and nephews. Don is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Albert; sister, Mary Hooey; and an infant grandson, Dustin Drees. Services: will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2008 in Immanuel Lutheran Church 1710 Cherry St., Grand Forks. Visitation: will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m., Prayer Service Tuesday in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks, and for the hour prior to the service in the church. Interment: Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks. On-line guest registration is available at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com.