Harvey G. Drews, 86, of Wilton died Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born to William and Bernadine (Friske) Drews on Nov. 5, 1924, in Wilton. He was baptized Dec. 7, 1924, and confirmed July 27, 1937, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilton. He grew up in the Dorset Valley area and attended Dorset Valley Country School. In 1941, at age 16, he graduated as valedictorian from Wilton High School. He was united in marriage to Dolores Buchholz on Nov. 24, 1945, in Wilton. She preceded him in death June 28, 1996. They farmed in the town of Wilton all their married lives.
Harvey was very civic-minded and served on different boards for more than 50 years. He was on the Wilton Co-op Board, the Elroy School Board, the Sparta Bank Board, the Town of Wilton Board and the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Board. Harvey was a hard-working, innovative and dedicated farmer, and a conversationalist. He was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
He is survived by one daughter, Dianne (Ron) Hornburger of Marshall, Wis.; two sons, Mark (Carol) Drews of Mobile, Ala., and Ronald Drews of Wilton; a son-in-law, Larry (Rev. Cindy) Arndt; 10 grandchildren, Joel (Lori) Arndt, Justin (Krista) Arndt, Dawn (Brad) Lindberg, Shannon (Heather) Drews , Meghan (special friend Scott Bemis) Drews, Chelsea Drews, Jon (Holly) Betthauser, Brian (fiancée Krista) Hornburger, Steven Hirsch, and Stephanie (Brad) Winans; 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dolores; two daughters, Donna Arndt and Debra Kay Drews; three brothers, Carl, Howard and an infant brother Leonard; and two sisters, Edna Drews and Leona Drews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wilton. Pastor James Steinbrecher will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, 702 Center St., Wilton, and one hour prior to services Monday at the church. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
