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Lloyd Carl Ernest Drahn

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Lloyd Carl Ernest Drahn, 100, of Monona, died July 26, at Good Samaritan in Postville. 

He was born March 27, 1918, on the family farm near Froelich, to parents Fred and Emilie Kaiser Drahn. He was the ninth of eleven children and his mother stated, he was the only one to wait for the doctor to arrive for delivery. Thus began a lifelong love of farming and stewardship of land and farm animals. Lloyd was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. Lloyd attended the Drahn Country School and graduated from Monona High School in 1935. This education began a love of reading and poetry in particular. Lloyd would be referred to as a “farmer poet” and was known to recite poetry from these days until the end of his life.

After high school, Lloyd farmed with his father until World War II called him to a life changing journey in Europe. Lloyd volunteered for the Army and served with the 83rd Mortar Battalion, Company C. As with many of the “Greatest Generation” this experience would be a pivotal life event. Lloyd served in the European theater from 1944 - 45. He was the recipient of four bronze stars and one bronze arrowhead for having gone through four major campaigns and the Anzio Beach Invasion. Lloyd journeyed through Italy and France and finished the war in Germany. There, as a German American, he pondered the role of the German people in this horrible war and spoke with the German people often in an attempt to build bridges of communication and understanding. 

After the war, Lloyd attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago and became an electrician. He would combine “wiring” and farming for many years to come. While there Lloyd worked at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago. For the rest of his life, he would be an exceptional help and “nurse” to those who were not feeling well. 

On Aug. 8, 1954, Lloyd was united in marriage with Marjorie Charlotte Otis at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. To this union, three children were born. The couple farmed in the Monona-Farmersburg area until retiring to Monona. Marjorie was a teacher and Lloyd supported her efforts by driving her on icy roads and visiting her classrooms for “story time.” Lloyd was a loving husband, father and grandfather. 

Lloyd loved to work on his farm and care for his dairy cattle. He had a bit of spare time to play softball, town team baseball, golf, cards, read, travel, do crossword puzzles, follow the Twins and Vikings, and participate in the American Legion and AMVETS. Lloyd has been a member of Lutheran Churches in Monona and Farmersburg all his life. He spent several years teaching Sunday School, volunteering at the Monona Butterfly Garden, and served on the board of the Monona Historical Society.

Lloyd is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of Monona; three children; Cindy (Gary) Dostal, of Muskego, Wis., Chris (Pat) Drahn, of Arden Hills, Minn., and Sally (Alan) Miller, of Boone; five grandchildren Andrew Dostal, of Cedar Falls, Tim (Jennifer Lehmann) Drahn, of Minneapolis, Katie (Patrick) Gleason, of Golden Valley, Minn., Cory Miller and Jacob Miller, both of Boone; one sister Aloha Drahn, of Downer’s Grove, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Walter Drahn, Irwin Drahn, Glendor Drahn, Elwin Drahn, and Everett Drahn; sisters: Edna Henkes, Laura Nugent, Sophia Lange, and Eileen McWhorter.

Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, and one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona, with Rev. Erika Keilstrup as the Officiant. Burial, with military rites, will follow at Monona Cemetery, Monona. Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, is helping the family with the arrangements.

 

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