Donna Louise Draeger

Donna Louise Draeger, age 84, passed away early Thursday morning, March 20, 2018, at the Hospice House of North Iowa in Mason City of congestive heart failure. Her husband, Vernon Draeger, preceded her in death on March 4th.

The two crossed paths at an old country church event (Flood Creek Methodist Church), dated a year, then married Sept. 23, 1956, 61 years ago. Donna was 23 at the time and Vernon, 41. The two are now reunited in heaven with each other, loved ones, and with Jesus, their Savior, Lord, and Bridegroom King.

Donna was born Aug. 26, 1933 to Gale and Ruth (Wedeking) Parcher, who later divorced, leaving both Donna and her younger brother, Leroy (Lee), in the care of their maternal grandparents, William G. and Clara Wedeking, of Marble Rock. Her best childhood memories were those with her grandparents.

Well known in the community, many stopped by to visit and purchase fresh produce, strawberries, and flowers from the large gardens. She always had a green thumb. She grew up knowing how to work with horses, put up straw and hay, tend to a variety of livestock, cook in quantity for large farm crews, dress chickens, milk cows, put up canned goods, and sew tailor-made clothes. She did everything cheerfully, faithfully, courageously, and with a spirit of excellence.

Following high school, Donna worked at the Charles City Courthouse for some time and then the bank. After marriage, however, she became an official homemaker and farm wife, working with Vernon in the fields and raising their two little girls, Dorothy and Dianne. She was one of the first women in her day to man a tractor, a progressive thought for some, but they enjoyed working as a team.

Donna also possessed a love for Christian education as a Sunday school teacher and vacation bible school volunteer. Her secret of keeping boisterous boys in check? The threat to kiss them on the cheek in front of the class. It seemed to work.

Later in late at age 41, Donna made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ during a Dale Evans Conference (i.e. wife of Roy Rogers), which birthed in her a newfound hunger for the Word of God and prayer. She participated in area prayer meetings and led small-group bible studies into her 80’s. Floyd County is all the better for the brave troop of women who banded together through the years, asking God to bring revival across the region.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents and parents, Gale Parcher and Ruth (Wedeking) Heick; brother and sister-in-law, Leroy and Fran Parcher; daughter, Dianne L. Draeger; and grandson, William Draeger Hedlund. She is survived by her daughter, Dorothy D. Draeger and grandsons: Andrew, Phillip and Joel Hedlund from the St. Louis area.

A joint memorial service for both Donna and Vernon draeger will be held on Friday, March 30th, from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Charles City Public Library, Zastrow River Room. There will be a country lunch catered by Hy-Vee, special music: Lighthouse Gospel Church, a time of sharing, and balloon launch near the river. Hauser Funeral Home (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com. Draeger farm address: 1885 203rd Place, Rockford, lA 50468.