Barbara J. Drahos

Barbara Jean Drahos, 88, of Postville, died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at Gundersen Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis. surrounded by her daughter and a caring medical staff. 

She had requested no wake or funeral with a private burial at a later date.

Barbara was born July 3, 1935, to Lois (Kulper) Backes and Ernest Carl Backes. Barbara grew up in Guttenberg and enjoyed time at her grandfather’s farm.

After graduating from high school Barbara went to business school and worked in Cedar Rapids. On June 5, 1956, Barbara was united in marriage to John Phillip Drahos. To that union one daughter was born, Christina Marie Drahos.

Barbara and her husband moved to Postville in 1971 and purchased the Coast to Coast Store which later grew into John’s Hardware and John’s Appliance. Barbara enjoyed doing the accounting work and through the years taught her daughter to also love accounting. Barbara was active in the Postville Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed running a small business for over 50 years, cooking, and exercising. Later in life she enjoyed her house cats.

Surviving Barbara is her daughter, Christina Drahos (Tony Schager) of Postville; step-grandchildren, Callie Schager of Cedar Falls, and Chance Schager of Chicago, Ill., and several nieces and nephews. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband and parents. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Postville or Lull’s Park Nature Trail in care of the City of Postville.