Helen Drege

Drege

Helen Marie (Fay) Drege

May 14, 1922 – Sept.24, 2019

Helen Marie (Fay) Drege, age 97 of Rugby, passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby.

Helen was born May 14, 1922 at home in Hurricane Lake Township, the first born of Francis John and Gunda (Ledfors) Fay. Helen attended school in York and then went on to graduate from Rugby High School. She completed her education at Minot State Teachers College in Minot. Because of her love of reading and people, she went on to become a librarian, working at the Heart of America and Rugby high school libraries for many years.

Helen married Lester Julian Drege on June 1, 1943. They were able to celebrate 62 years of marriage before he passed on October 14, 2005. Born to this family were: son John, Fort Collins, CO., twins- Sandi (Mike-deceased) Harper, Dixon, IL., & Jim (Shirley Mack Drege-deceased) Drege, Eden Prairie, MN, Loren (Becky) Drege, Lamoure, ND, Jeff (Patty), Fargo, ND, Jane Finney (Mike Stark), East Grand Forks, MN. Helen also endured the death of premature twins, Donald and David and a stillborn baby girl. Others preceding her in death are grandson, Brandon Drege and in-laws: Allen Drege, Alice and Ray Krogstad, Mutt Jones, Bruce Shuler, Don Monger and Everett Jelleberg. Her siblings who survive her are Frances Shuler, Lyndon, WA; Pat Monger, Rugby; Sadie Jelleberg, Bottineau and Marge Krohn, Fargo.

Helen was very excited to have eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Helen loved participating in Homemakers Club, as a 4H leader, First Lutheran church choir, Circle and Ladies Aid, and many other events. What pleased her most was cooking, baking and canning with dad and trying new recipes, reading, talking with family and friends over coffee and juneberry pie, flower gardening and sewing! She “would rather sew than eat!” A favorite meal she made was waffles and ice cream topped with homemade chokecherry syrup. She was known for her hard work, her spunk and her giant hugs. God bless the memory of Helen Fay Drege

Memorials are preferred in her memory to the Heart of America Hospice Program, First Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28 at First Lutheran Church in Rugby with burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby. Pastor Sharon Baker, officiating.

Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday with a prayer service and sharing of memories that began at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby. Visitation continued Saturday for one hour prior to the time of services at the church.

Organist: Bernie Arcand

Musicians & Vocalists: Becky & Loren Drege, Pastor Nathan Drege, Dana Drege & The Drege and Fay Families

The Honorary Pallbearers: Sister: Pat Monger; Granddaughters: Erica Peterson, Bethany Laird and Tara Harper Keesey; Grandsons: Shannon Harper and Casey Drege; Neighbor: Caleb Miller

The Casket Bearers: Corky Fedje, Nathan Drege, Josh Finney, Derek Drege, Zach Finney and Dana Drege

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online Condolences: www.funeralsbyanderson.com