Obituary of James Robert Drees

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann, children: Dennis (Deb) of Iowa City, Iowa, Daniel (Mary) of Durango, Iowa, Debra (Norb) McClimon of Dyersville, Iowa, Darrell (Cheri) of Petaluma, Calif., Darla (Rick) Budden of Petersburg, Iowa, Diane Drees of Dyersville, Iowa, Dawn (Gary) Olberding of Dyersville, Iowa and Delynn (Dave) Fangman of Asbury, IA, and a special niece, Sr. Lynn Marie Fangman, PBVM, of Dubuque, Iowa, 19 grandchildren: Kari & Matt Drees, Emily & Libby Drees, Brad (Jenn), Ted (fiancé Kathy Ernst), & Tim (Meagan) McClimon, Lindsay (Gaston) Sueldo, Bryan (fiancé Grace Clayton) Drees, Sarah, Jesse Drees, Toby, Joe, Nick Budden, Katie (Corey) McAfee, Molly & Robby Olberding, Brent & Abbie Fangman, 2 great grandchildren: Lauren and Evan McClimon, 2 brothers: Charles of Edina, Minn., David (Janet) of Overland Park, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son in infancy, and a sister-in-law, Lee Drees. Jim was born on February 18, 1924, in Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Fred and Nellie (Krapfl) Drees. He married Mary Ann Gerken on June 9, 1948 in Dyersville, Iowa. Together they farmed west of Dyersville until retiring in 2000. Jim enjoyed many sports. In his youth he pitched for the Dyersville Flyers. Fishing and bowling became some of his favorite pastimes. He was a lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Parish. He was very devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time with his children and playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. The Drees family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Miner and the staff at Medical Associates, and the staff at Mercy Medical Center in Dyersville, and to Ellen Lapage, for all of their compassionate care. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, October 26, 2008, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 2 p.m.