Gwendolyn “Gwen” Draayer

A Celebration of Life service for Gwendolyn “Gwen” Draayer, age 104, of Albert Lea, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at the Hollandale Reformed Church.  Rev. Neal Ooms will officiate. Interment will be at Hollandale Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Gwen went to meet the Lord on February 14, 2019 with family at her side.  Gwen was born in Rockwell, IA on May 17, 1914, the daughter of Heiko and Ella (Mein) Snater.  She attended school in Rockwell prior to moving to Hollandale, MN.  On March 30, 1932, she was united in marriage to John Draayer in Hollandale.  She was a member of the Hollandale Reformed Church.

Gwen was active in a variety of church activities including Ladies Aid, bible study, and volunteered in church quilting projects.  She was a voracious reader and loved embroidery and swimnastics.  She was feisty with a wonderful sense of humor. Gwen was very proud of her work at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea finishing her career as a nursing unit coordinator and retiring at the age of 75.

Gwen is survived by her daughters, Arlotte (Wes) DePoorter, Donna (Ron) Beeney, Joan (Bert) Johnson, Marjorie (Bob) Page; son, Richard (Bev) Draayer; grandchildren, Sandy (Art) Menning, Debra (Alan) Fransman, David (Brenda) DePoorter, Mark (Lori) Beeney, Steven Beeney, Scott Johnson, Sara (Marc) Miller, Matthew (Karin) Page, Kristen (Rod) McCormick, Timothy (Sharon) Draayer, Cheryl (Ron) Vis, Laura Schmitz; great-grandchildren, Mandy (Mark) Small, Chris (Erin) Fransman, Danielle Fransman, Ashley DePoorter, Nickolas and Nathaniel Beeney, Alex and Jackson Miller, Kuba and Lukas Page, Charlie and Parker McCormick, Abby, Braden, and Brynlee Vis, Brooklyn and Addison Schmitz; great-great-grandchildren, Gracie, Ella, Irelynn, and Anna Small, Peyton, MaKenna, and Micah Fransman.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Heiko and Ella; husband, John; siblings, Sara Clark, Lena Thompson, Ben Snater, Albert Snater, George Snater, Jasper Snater.

Deep appreciation to the staff and residents of Bancroft Creek Estates in Albert Lea who treated Gwen as family.  Sincere thanks to St. Croix Hospice for their care.

Memorials preferred to Hollandale Reformed Church, Hollandale Christian School, Bancroft Creek Estates, Good Samaritan Society or St. Croix Hospice.