Ethel Marie Drees
(December 1, 1924 - December 8, 2013)

Ethel Marie Daiker Drees, 89 of Adams, MN, passed away on December 8, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Austin. She was a cancer survivor and approached life with youthful enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

Ethel was born on December 1, 1924 to John A. and Caroline M. (Thelen) Daiker near Glidden, Iowa on her family farm. Ethel married Ralph Henry Drees on January 5, 1942 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Auburn, Iowa. They moved from Lidderdale, Iowa to Taopi, Minnesota in 1954 where they farmed together until retiring and moving into Adams, Minnesota in 1989. Ethel and Ralph enjoyed 67 years of marriage together before Ralph's death on August 1, 2009.

Ethel was a devoted mother of 12 children. She will always be remembered for her love of family and babies, tending garden and flowers, playing card games, her beautiful crochet work, strong faith and devoted prayer, and her undeniable love of her husband and her Lord Jesus Christ. She provided a beautiful example for all to emulate as a wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend. Her legacy includes 53 grandchildren, 100 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, her parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law Joe and Rose Drees, son Allen Drees in 1985, granddaughters; Mary Ann Sanford in 1966, Suzanne Drees in 1977, and grandson Jamie Ott in 1994; son-in-law Wally Sanford in 2006; brothers John B. Daiker, Leroy Daiker, Leonard Daiker, Ivan Daiker, Warren J. Daiker; sisters Mable Schug, Drusilla Abney; infant sister Ila Mae Daiker.

Ethel is survived by her children: Rosann Sanford, Spring Valley, Ralph (Janice) Drees, Spring Valley, Stephen (Nancy) Drees, Austin, Mary (Jerry) Ott, Dakota Dunes, SD, Anna (Gene) Wilder, LeRoy, John (Candy) Drees, Austin, Dale (Robin) Drees, Appleton, WI, Dan (Carol) Drees, Taopi, Neil (Peggy) Drees, Austin, Arlo (Beth) Drees, Austin, Brian (Kelly) Drees, Mason City, IA; daughter-in-law: Ella Dodge, Woodbury; 50 grandchildren; 100 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; brother: Cornelius (Glenna) Daiker, Auburn, IA; sisters Colletta Mohr, Fonda, IA, Marietta Sammons, Lidderdale, IA.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 13th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams, MN with Father Swaminatha (Swamy) Pothireddy officiating followed by a luncheon. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Adams. There will be a prayer service at 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 12th at the Adams Funeral Home where friends may greet the family from 4:00 to 8:00 PM and there will be a visitation at the church for one hour before the service.