Ralph Drees Jr., 75, of Spring Valley, MN, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at his home.

Ralph John Drees Jr. was born on April 08, 1945, to Ralph Sr. and Ethel (Daiker) Drees in Carroll, IA. He attended elementary school at Sacred Heart Catholic School and received his diploma from Adams High School, Adams, MN. He was drafted in the United States Army in 1965 and was honorably discharge in the fall of 1967. Ralph was united in marriage to Janice Mayer in LeRoy, MN, on January 03, 1966; to this union eight children were born.

Ralph worked on his family farm up until his retirement in 2016. He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, playing cards, fishing and hunting deer. Ralph and Janice are members of the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Spring Valley.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Janice and their children Joanne (John) Tibodeau of Wells, MN, Ralph (Kersten) Drees III of Spring Valley, MN, David (Melissa Burns) Drees of LeRoy, MN, Michael (Julie) Drees of Stewartville, MN, Paul (Amber Bever) Drees of Wheeler, WI, Catherine (Steven) Nelson of Rochester, MN, Joseph (Santi) Drees of Spring Valley, MN, and Andrew (Ally) Drees of Zumbrota, MN; 24 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; his siblings Rosann Sanford, Steve (Nancy) Drees, Mary (Jerry) Ott, Anna Wilder, John (Candy) Drees, Dale (Robin) Drees, Dan (Carol) Drees, Neil (Peggy) Drees, Arlo (Beth) Drees, and Brian (Kelly) Drees, sister-in-law Ella Dodge; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Allen, brothers-in-law Wally, and Gene, his nephew Jamie, and nieces MaryAnn and Suzanne.

Private family Funeral Mass for Ralph will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church with Father Marreddy Pothireddy officiating. A public Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2020, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Social distancing will be practiced and masks will be required for the safety of the family. Hindt Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Note: Ralph was a classmate of mine, Bob Hamilton.