Earl J. “Patty” Dreher, Jr., age 71, of New Fane, was united with the Lord on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at his home after battling cancer.
He was born on December 26,1934 in Kewaskum, the son of the late Earl and Minnie (Knowles) Dreher, Sr.
Earl was a graduate of Kewaskum High School, and on September 8, 1956, he was united in marriage to Blanche Stowers at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum.
Earl served his country in active duty in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 and continued to serve in the Air National Guard until 1963. While he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, he and Blanche started a loving family.
The family returned to Wisconsin in 1964 and ran a Shell station in Oak Creek. In 1966, they moved to West Bend and in 1972, they settled in New Fane.
Earl was employed by Wisconsin Electric for ten years. His passion for truck driving led him to become an owner-operator for many years. He continued to drive even after retirement.
Earl was a lifelong member of St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum, was a member of the New Fane Kettle Riders for over 30 years, and he was also a member of the Robert G. Romaine American Legion Post 384 Kewaskum.
He enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, fishing, racing and trucking. Earl was a dedicated, loving husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa.
Survivors include his loving wife, Blanche; his special companion, his poodle, MiMi; three sons, Rick (Susan) Dreher of Green Bay, Brian (Teresa) Dreher of Campbellsport and Gregory (Shawn) Dreher of New Fane; ten granddaughters, Alison, Lisa, Sara (fiancé, Tim Peck), Crystal, Bridget, Alyssa, Ashley, April, Angela Dreher and Niki (Curtis) Koth; two great-grandchildren, Chloe and Samuel Koth; four brothers, Jules (Gwendolyn) Dreher and John Dreher both of Kewaskum, David (Nancy) Dreher of Campbellsport and William (Colleen) Dreher of Brownsville; a sister, Sharon (Robert) Stenschke of West Bend; a sister-in-law, Charleen (Al) Barutha of Kewaskum, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Dreher.
Earl’s funeral service was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church,1417 Parkview Drive, Kewaskum. Rev. Edwin Fredrich officiated and burial with military graveside rites was at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday in Lutheran Memorial Park in Kewaskum.
Relatives and friends called on Tuesday at the church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services.
Earl’s family would like to thank Heartland Hospice Services, Pastor Henning, Pastor Fredrich and all the family and friends for their love, prayers and support.
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He was born on December 26,1934 in Kewaskum, the son of the late Earl and Minnie (Knowles) Dreher, Sr.
Earl was a graduate of Kewaskum High School, and on September 8, 1956, he was united in marriage to Blanche Stowers at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum.
Earl served his country in active duty in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 and continued to serve in the Air National Guard until 1963. While he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, he and Blanche started a loving family.
The family returned to Wisconsin in 1964 and ran a Shell station in Oak Creek. In 1966, they moved to West Bend and in 1972, they settled in New Fane.
Earl was employed by Wisconsin Electric for ten years. His passion for truck driving led him to become an owner-operator for many years. He continued to drive even after retirement.
Earl was a lifelong member of St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum, was a member of the New Fane Kettle Riders for over 30 years, and he was also a member of the Robert G. Romaine American Legion Post 384 Kewaskum.
He enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, fishing, racing and trucking. Earl was a dedicated, loving husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa.
Survivors include his loving wife, Blanche; his special companion, his poodle, MiMi; three sons, Rick (Susan) Dreher of Green Bay, Brian (Teresa) Dreher of Campbellsport and Gregory (Shawn) Dreher of New Fane; ten granddaughters, Alison, Lisa, Sara (fiancé, Tim Peck), Crystal, Bridget, Alyssa, Ashley, April, Angela Dreher and Niki (Curtis) Koth; two great-grandchildren, Chloe and Samuel Koth; four brothers, Jules (Gwendolyn) Dreher and John Dreher both of Kewaskum, David (Nancy) Dreher of Campbellsport and William (Colleen) Dreher of Brownsville; a sister, Sharon (Robert) Stenschke of West Bend; a sister-in-law, Charleen (Al) Barutha of Kewaskum, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Dreher.
Earl’s funeral service was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church,1417 Parkview Drive, Kewaskum. Rev. Edwin Fredrich officiated and burial with military graveside rites was at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday in Lutheran Memorial Park in Kewaskum.
Relatives and friends called on Tuesday at the church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services.
Earl’s family would like to thank Heartland Hospice Services, Pastor Henning, Pastor Fredrich and all the family and friends for their love, prayers and support.