Kenneth Eggert Dreessen

Kenneth Eggert Dreessen was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Julius and Hattie Dreessen on August 16, 1941. Ken attended Boys Town High School before studying at Creighton University. Ken graduated in 1963 with minors in Mathematics and Philosophy, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He continued graduate school at Creighton and obtained a Master’s of Science in Chemistry in 1965. Ken then joined the Peace Corps and served in Malaysia from August 31, 1965 to December 29, 1968. While teaching Chemistry at King George V School in Seremban, Malaysia, Ken fell in love with Chin Che Ngo. Ken traveled back to Malaysia after his time in the Peace Corps and married Che on August 4, 1971 in Seremban. A year later, they welcomed the birth of their son, Adrian. After much thought and consideration, Ken and Che decided to move back to Nebraska to give their children better opportunities. They arrived on December 16, 1972. The following year they welcomed their daughter, Dawn. Ken and Che raised their family in Benson until Ken decided that he didn’t want to fight the traffic on 72nd Street and moved the family to a 12-acre acreage in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Another reason for the move was to provide his children with a “rural” experience and he purchased 6 sheep so that Adrian and Dawn could participate in 4-H and show the sheep in the Douglas County Fair. Ken was employed by American Laboratories, Inc. in Omaha, NE from 1973 through 2003. He held various titles throughout his 30 years, starting as a Chemist and retiring as the Senior Vice President. Over his 30-year career with ALI, he developed several new products and enjoyed mentoring new employees and molding them into “good workers”. In retirement, Ken enjoyed the home he and Che built in Shadow Ridge, but he continued to spend many hours of the day on his acreage in Elkhorn tending to his orchard and garden. Ken moved into central Omaha after Che passed away and when his driving privileges were revoked in 2018, he relocated to the Crown Pointe-Senior Living facility. On November 24, 2024, Ken died at the Josie Harper Hospice House, surrounded by his children, at the age of 83 after suffering complications from a fall. Ken was preceded in death by parents, Julius and Hattie Dreessen, along with wife, Che Ngo Dreessen. Ken is survived by children, Adrian Dreessen and Dawn Dreessen (Scott Dull); grandchildren: Jake Dreessen (Ryce), Lukas Dreessen, Ava Dreessen, Sophia Dreessen, Maya Dreessen, Kalani Guie Dreessen and Julian Guie Dreessen; one great grandchild, Archer Dreessen; brother, Wayne Dreessen (Shelia) and many cousins, nieces and nephews. VISITATION: 10-11am Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4200 N 204th St, Elkhorn, NE 68022 with MEMORIAL SERVICE to follow at 11am. Memorials may be directed to EPS Alumni Scholarship https://www.elkhornfoundation.org/eps-alumni-scholarship/

Kenneth Eggert Dreessen

August 16, 1941 - November 24, 2024