The Memorial Service for John R. Dreis, age 87 of Meadow, will be held at 11:00am Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Indian Creek Lutheran Church south of Meadow. Pastor Marjorie Hershey will officiate and the military honors will be afforded by the Rogers-Smith American Post #255 of Bison.


John Richardson Dreis was born March 11, 1923 in the Athboy area of Western South Dakota to John and Carrie (Richardson) Dreis, the seventh of eight children. He attended school at a small county school in Athboy and continued his education in the (Thrall Academy) Sorum School System for three years finishing the last year in Bison, graduating in 1943. John worked for all four years of high school to pay his boarding expense. John received many interesting awards during those years, most studious, third for sarcastic, third for most bashful. While in high school, most of the students knew him in Sorum by his nickname "Shonnie" or "Johnnie". John most favorite sport was boxing.


Growing up in the depression was hard on the family. John would work for area sheep ranchers watching their herds. He would ride his horse to and from school. His sisters would always tell a story of him about the incident when they were riding horseback from school. John's horse wanted a drink and went into the dam and lay down and John held his hand up repeating "the mail is dry" this topic was never forgotten.


After high school John enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served during World War II overseas for 2 years. During this time John would send money home to the family to help out with expenses of the new place the family had bought in Ziebach County. After returning from the service John worked with his father, brothers, William (Bob), Lambert (Bert) and one sister, Violet.


John met Della Kopren and was united in marriage on August 19th, 1956 at the American Lutheran Church in Bison, SD, being baptized into the Lutheran faith on January of 1958 just before his first child was born.


John was blessed with three children, Janet on February 10th, 1958, Marc on March 8th, 1959, and Timothy on June 13th, 1960.


John was a member of the Indian Creek Lutheran Church, and served on the Church Board many different times thru out his life. When a new church was needed he was there to help in many ways. John was a member of the VFW, served on the Lemmon Equity Board, The Meadow Cemetery Board, the Glad Valley Fire Department and the Coal Springs Thrashing Club. John was very interested in antiques. He rebuilt a horse drawn buggy that once belonged to his uncles, the Richardson Brothers. Working with his hands to restore history was a hobby he enjoyed. As the years went on John's talented hands shared many item with family, friends and church, and the community.


John had a passion for cattle and sheep. If you didn't find him on a horse, you would find him taking a nap in the sheep pasture, especially when he was out picking cock-err-burs. He would always say, "I was just resting". The farm life and ranch life was a life he lived for. So he had his best years on the ranch, till he went on to his second ranch, Heaven. He will be truly missed by his family and friends. John and Della have been blessed with many years. They moved to Faulkton to live closer to their daughter (Janet). They moved into the Faulkton Healthcare Center on March 29th 2009. He passed away there on Monday, January 17, 2011.


Survivors include his wife Della of Meadow now residing at the Faulkton Healthcare Center; one daughter, Janet (Bill) Bohn of Faulkton, SD, six grandchildren, Jennifer of Faulkton, Tory of Sioux Falls, Kelly (Clint) Ortmeier of Watertown, Felicia, Caitlyn, Alex all of Germany and three great grandchildren; D.J., Timothy, and John, one step-grandchild, Sara of Aberdeen, and three step great grandchildren; numerous brothers - in - law, and sisters- in -laws, and many nieces and nephews, and was also cherished by the Faulkton Healthcare Staff and Hospice Care Staff.


His parents, two sons, Timothy in 2001, Marc in 2008, siblings: Kate Witte, Marie Strong, Violet Witte, Elizabeth Hoff, William (Bob) and Lambert (Bert) and one infant brother, all preceded him in death.


Visitation will be on Saturday one hour prior to services at the Indian Creek Lutheran Church.