Larry Albert Drefke, the son of Loren and Helene (Lerch) Drefke, was born November 30, 1936 in Sutherland, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in Sutherland, where he was Baptized on December 27, 1936 and Confirmed on March 22, 1951 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland. He received his education in Sutherland, graduating from Sutherland High School in 1955.
Larry married Cheryl Schultz on June 25, 1955 in Sutherland and to this union five children were born: Mark, Marilyn, Mike, Mary and Mitchell. He lived in Sutherland for a short period of time before moving to a farm near Cherokee, where he continued farming until his retirement. Following his retirement, he made his home in Sutherland and for the past 6 years had been a resident of the Sutherland Care Center. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland. Larry was also president of the Cherokee Booster Club, loved playing cards, sports and raising cattle in his day. He also enjoyed visiting with people and having coffee with his friends. He enjoyed working with numbers and figures and was a kid at heart. Most of all, Larry enjoyed his grandchildren and having everyone around him as long as his health allowed.
Larry passed away at the Sutherland Care Center in Sutherland, Iowa on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Randy Peterson.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: Mark (Susan) Drefke of Sutherland, Marilyn (Mike) Zembsch of Phoenix, AZ, Mike (Sandy) Drefke of Cherokee, Merry Peterson of Cherokee and Mitchell (Kasonda) Drefke of Cherokee; 11 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
SERVICES
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland.
OFFICIATING
Pastor LeRoy Riemer
CASKET BEARERS
Luke Drefke
Mason Drefke
Cole Drefke
Dillon Drefke
Marshall Peterson
Tom Pry
Gillum Zembsch
Ben Zembsch
HONORARY CASKET BEARER
Albert Kreutz
VISITATION
Visitation will begin 1:00 P.M.,Friday with the family present from 5 to 7:00 P.M., Friday Evening at the Warner Funeral Home in Sutherland.
MUSIC
Congregational Hymns
"Amazing Grace"
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
INTERMENT
Waterman Cemetery
Sutherland,Iowa
A lunch and time of fellowship will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland following the graveside services.