John Droege
John William Droege, 99, of rural Plato, died Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care in Glencoe.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 5, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg with the Rev. Donald Andrix officiating. Cheryl Andrix was the organist. Soloist Dan Sprengeler sang “The Lord’s Prayer.” Congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”
Casket bearers were Matthew Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, Brian Thalmann, John Sprengeler, Jim Sprengeler and Alan Engelmann.
Interment was in the church cemetery.
John William Droege was born March 21, 1917, at home in McLeod County, the son of Ernst and Dorothea (Mehlhop) Droege. He was baptized as an infant on April 8, 1917, by the Rev. H.J. Boumann, and was confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 29, 1931, both at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg. He received his education in Glencoe, graduating from Stevens Seminary in 1934.
On Oct. 26, 1979, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” (Christopherson) Johnson by the Rev. L. Meyer at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg. The couple made their home on the family farm in rural Plato, and their marriage was blessed with Betty’s children and grandchildren, whom Mr. Droege loved as his own. the couple shared over 36 years of marriage.
Mr. Droege farmed in Helen Township with his brother Otto and his stepson Mark Johnson. He was a lifelong active member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg. He also was a member of the local ditch committee and served as an election judge for Helen Township.
Mr. Droege was an honest and hardworking man, taking great pride in giving his best and doing it right. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, trapping, traveling and watching sport, which he loved to attend and cheer on his grandsons. He cherished the time spent with his family and friends.
When he needed assistance with his daily care, he became a resident of Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care in March 2015.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Droege of Glencoe; stepson, Mark (Joan) Johnson of Plato; grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley) Johnson and Nicholas (Amanda) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Brenden Johnson, Jordan Johnson and Tyson Johnson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernst and Dorothea Droege; stepdaughter, Denise Johnson; brothers, Otto Droege and Albert (and wife Evangeline) Droege; and sisters and their husbands, Bertha and Art Tiefel, Alice and George Cunningham and Dorothy and Herbert Schwartz.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel of Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.