Obituary of Mary Ann Drees

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Funeral Mass will be published on Kramer Funeral Home Facebook page for those that are unable to attend. 

Church Video Link: https://youtube.com/live/vXuLgGqJTgg?feature=share

Mary Ann Drees, 98, of Dyersville, Iowa passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at her home surrounded by loving family.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville followed by a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Rev. Gabriel Mensah will officiate.

Mary Ann was born on July 29, 1925 on the family farm in Dyersville, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Tegeler) Gerken.  She married James Drees on June 9, 1948 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, Iowa. Together, they farmed and raised their family west of Dyersville until moving to Dyersville in 2001.

Mary Ann was a lifetime member of St. Francis Xavier Parish. Faith and family were the center of Mary Ann’s life; she prayed the rosary daily. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She enjoyed gardening and nourishing her many flowers. She was an excellent cook, baker, and enjoyed hosting for family gatherings. She lovingly teased with her family and friends and had a great sense of humor. She enjoyed cards, puzzles, St. Louis Cardinals, and time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially the babies.

Survivors include her children: Dennis (Deb) of Iowa City, Iowa, Daniel (Mary) of Durango, Iowa, Debra (Norb) McClimon of Dyersville, Iowa, Darrell (Cheri) of Petaluma, Calif., Darla Budden of Petersburg, Iowa, Diane Drees of Dyersville, Iowa, Dawn (Gary) Olberding of Dyersville, Iowa and Delynn (Dave) Fangman of Asbury, IA, and a special niece, Sr. Lynn Marie Fangman, PBVM, of Dubuque; 19 grandchildren: Kari (Jake) Beltz, Matt (BreAnn) Drees, Emily(Matt) Maiers, Libby (Garrett) Seligman, Brad (Jenn) McClimon, Ted (Kathy) McClimon, Tim (Meagan) McClimon, Lindsay (Gaston) Sueldo, Bryan (Grace) Drees, Sarah (Ashley Selbert) Drees, Jesse (Amber) Drees, Toby Budden, Katie (Corey) McAfee, Joseph (Callie) Budden, Nick Budden, Molly (Charlie Fast) Olberding, Rob (fiance, Kendra Bushman) Olberding, Brent (Sarah) Fangman, Abbie (Matt) Nohr; and 28 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James, one son in infancy, son-in-law, Rick Budden; siblings:  Lorraine (Charlie) Fangman, Bernard (Irene) Gerken, Charles (Cora) Gerken, Catherine (Robert) Megel, Leo (Julie) Gerken, Vernita (Roy) Frericks; in-laws: Charles (Lee) Drees, David (Janet) Drees.

The family would like to thank Kelli McDermott, Janet Hall, and Sherry Krapfl for their compassionate care and support to Mary Ann and the entire Drees family. Also a thank you to the staff at Hospice of Dubuque.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.