Wayne Detlef Drews

Wayne Detlef Drews was born on May 17, 1922 in Yutan, Ne. to William and Elsie (Eggers) Drews. He grew up on the family farm south of Yutan, was confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church and attended District 8 Country School. Wayne enlisted in the army on March 16, 1944 and attained the rank of Sergeant in the 1290th Combat Engineers during World War II, serving 9 months in England, France and Germany. He received an honorable discharge on April 27, 1946. Upon his return home, Wayne was employed by the Armor Meat packing plant in Omaha. On June 20, 1947, Wayne and Ardyce (Wollen) were married at the St. John’s Lutheran Parsonage by Pastor Karl Konig. Their marriage was blessed with 3 children, Jim, Catherine and Roger, whom they raised near Mead and Bennington until 1957 when they returned to the “home place” farm at Yutan. There they had a very successful dairy operation for many years before they switched to raising Black Angus. After his retirement in 1989, they moved to Fremont for awhile then returned to Yutan, where he resided until he moved to Val Haven Nursing Home last year after an extended illness. Wayne was a very active citizen affiliated with many organizations, including: lifelong membership of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he served on the Church council; lifetime Charter member of both American Legion Post 262 (past Post Commander) and the Beaver Bartek Post 4502 of the VFW; Yutan Rural Fire Department; County offices; 100 Year Pioneer Farm Family; Boys and Girls 4-H leader; and member of National Farmers Union. Wayne loved woodworking. He made doll cradles for the great-grand-daughters, a rocking horse for the grandchildren and many bird houses and lawn ornaments. Auctions and farm sales held a special attraction for him as was attested by all his collections. He always enjoyed visits with his children, grand-children and great-grand-children. We all loved to take him to Farmer Brown’s for dinner or to have him over for dinner and a good game of cards. Playing pitch with the guys at Jeris’s was also a favorite pastime. Wayne passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Arbor Manor in Fremont, Ne. at the age of 86 years, 4 months and 17 days. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years and best friend, Ardyce, his parents and brothers, Clarence, Ervin and Lester. He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Jim and Vicki of Malvern, Iowa, Roger and Kathleen of Omaha, Nebraska; daughter and son-in-law Catherine and Jim Johnson of Elkhorn, Nebraska; 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; brother Delmer of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister and brother-in-law Mary Ellen and Joe Husak of Yutan: sisters-in-law Connie Heberly and June Ohm of Valley, Nebraska and Cora Lee Yard of Weeping Water, Nebraska; JoAnn Drews of Yutan; Blanche Drews of Fremont, Nebraska and Evelyn Drews of Yutan; many nieces and nephews.

Wayne Detlef Drews

May 17, 1922 - October 4, 2008