The Memorial Service for Bob Dreis, age 83, of Vale, SD; and a longtime Meadow area farmer and rancher, will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the Indian Creek Lutheran Church south of Meadow with Pastor Marjorie Hershey officiating.

Cremation has taken place and full military honors will be afforded by the Roger's-Smith American Legion Post #255 of Bison.


A family service will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening November 21, at the Indian Creek Lutheran Church.

William R. Dries "Bob" was born at Athboy, SD on September 25, 1925 to John and Carrie (Richardson) Dreis. He was baptized on December 16, 1927 at Athboy. Bob attended school at Athboy for eight years. He attended Tip Top School for his ninth grade and then went to Bison High School for 2½ years before being called to active duty in the U.S. Army.


The family moved to the farm in 1940, now known as the Dreis Charolais Ranch. In February of 1944, Bob went into the U.S. Army for 2½ years during World War II. He served an important part in World History as a guard during the trials of Nuremberg, Germany. In 1946, he received an honorable discharge and returned to the family farm and ranch.


Bob worked on the family farm and ranch and Dreis Charolais Ranch until he retired in 1992 and moved to Vale, SD. He was a fix- it kind of guy, loved to build and make things, and was a Certified Electrician from 1956 to 1988. He was a lifetime member in American Legion. Bob was proud of his involvement with the Glad Valley Fire Department fighting many area fires; and Indian Creek Lutheran Church south of Meadow.


On September 25, 1994, he married Jessie (Dearborn) Young. They lived in Vale, SD and traveled to craft fairs selling many wood products built by Bob. Bob's greatest love was his family. He spent much of his time with his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, stepchildren and step-grandchildren.


He is survived by his wife, Jessie, Vale, SD; brother and sister-in-law, John and Della Dreis, Meadow, SD; step-son, Dale Young, Isabel, SD; step-daughter Wanda (Jeff) Benson, Bismarck, ND; three step-grandchildren, Skyler, Tristan and Riley Benson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lampert (Bert), an infant boy; four sisters, Violet Witte, Marie Strong, Carrie Witte, Elizabeth (Liz) Hoff; and three nephews, Jim Strong, Tim Dreis and Marc Dreis.

Visitation will be Friday, November 21, 2008 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.


A memorial has been established.