Obituary for Max L. Drefke
Max L. Drefke, 82, of Marcus, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022, at MercyOne in Sioux City, Iowa. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, at Peace Lutheran Church in Marcus, Iowa. Rev. Kevin Roop will officiate. Burial will follow at Marcus Amherst Cemetery with military honors conducted by F.I. Goodburn American Legion Post #517. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at the Earnest – Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service on Friday.
Max Lloyd Drefke was born on March 4, 1939, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of Delmer “Slim” and Madge (Barnes) Drefke. He was baptized into the Christian faith and was confirmed April 26, 1953, at Peace Lutheran Church. He graduated from Marcus High School in 1957 and continued his education at Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Farm Operations. While at ISU, Max was in R.O.T.C., sang in Men’s Glee Club and played clarinet in the marching band. Upon graduation, Max returned to Marcus to farm with his father.
On August 31, 1962, Max and Nancy Peterson were united in marriage at Faith Lutheran Church in Marcus. Together they farmed just outside Marcus, raising grain, cattle, hogs and quarter horses. In 1993 the family farm was designated a Century Farm by the State of Iowa. In the early 90’s, Max fulfilled a longtime goal of becoming a truck driver. When he was between busy farming periods, he drove part-time for Schuster Trucking in Le Mars, Van Wyk Trucking in Sheldon and Hy-Vee in Cherokee.
Max was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Marcus, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and filled several roles on the Church Council. He served four years in the Iowa Army National Guard. Max had been active in the Cherokee County Cattleman’s Association, including serving as President. He was on the Marcus elevator board, in the Rocking “K” Saddle Club and worked many years in the Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables Department of the Marcus Fair.
Max inherited a love of horses from his grandfather Lloyd Barnes. Max and Nancy’s family enjoyed showing horses for over 20 years throughout Northwest Iowa. They have fond memories of hours spent riding together, traveling to shows and building wonderful friendships with other horse families, in addition to the life lessons learned along the way.
Throughout his lifetime Max enjoyed fishing – with his dad and all the Drefkes, teaching his kids and grandsons to fish, and eventually making trips to Canada. Winter Monday nights were spent at men’s bowling league with the Marcus Bowl team. Max was a member of the inaugural ISU Alumni Homecoming Band and marched in it for over 30 years. He and Nancy enjoyed dancing from when they began dating until their knees gave out. One of the favorite dances was their 40th anniversary celebration with a live big band comprised mostly of musicians they had met from the Air Force band. Max and Nancy traveled thousands of miles to watch their children and grandson play at ISU games and concerts, and attended countless Air Force performances. Those travels even took them to Italy.
Max was a conversationalist who could talk to anyone. He loved sharing stories and jokes and pulled some good pranks. The family delighted in bringing that special look to his eyes when they “got” him.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Nancy of Marcus, IA; his children, Donna Drefke of Polk City, IA, LuAnn and Brian Miller of Marcus, IA, and Kenny and Lisa Drefke of Poquoson, VA; grandson Brian Drefke and great-grandson Bryson Drefke of Madrid, IA, brother Dr. Ray (Ann) Drefke of Marcus, IA, brother-in-law John “Bud” (Sandy) Peterson of Hamilton, IL, sisters-in-law Diane (Keith) Grage of Gregory, SD, Virginia “Ginny” (Steve) St. Amand of San Diego, CA, and Janet Kelly of Sioux City, IA, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents John and Gertrude (Viken) Peterson, and his sister- and brother-in-law Barb and Paul Jorgenson.
Max Lloyd Drefke was born on March 4, 1939, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of Delmer “Slim” and Madge (Barnes) Drefke. He was baptized into the Christian faith and was confirmed April 26, 1953, at Peace Lutheran Church. He graduated from Marcus High School in 1957 and continued his education at Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Farm Operations. While at ISU, Max was in R.O.T.C., sang in Men’s Glee Club and played clarinet in the marching band. Upon graduation, Max returned to Marcus to farm with his father.
On August 31, 1962, Max and Nancy Peterson were united in marriage at Faith Lutheran Church in Marcus. Together they farmed just outside Marcus, raising grain, cattle, hogs and quarter horses. In 1993 the family farm was designated a Century Farm by the State of Iowa. In the early 90’s, Max fulfilled a longtime goal of becoming a truck driver. When he was between busy farming periods, he drove part-time for Schuster Trucking in Le Mars, Van Wyk Trucking in Sheldon and Hy-Vee in Cherokee.
Max was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Marcus, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and filled several roles on the Church Council. He served four years in the Iowa Army National Guard. Max had been active in the Cherokee County Cattleman’s Association, including serving as President. He was on the Marcus elevator board, in the Rocking “K” Saddle Club and worked many years in the Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables Department of the Marcus Fair.
Max inherited a love of horses from his grandfather Lloyd Barnes. Max and Nancy’s family enjoyed showing horses for over 20 years throughout Northwest Iowa. They have fond memories of hours spent riding together, traveling to shows and building wonderful friendships with other horse families, in addition to the life lessons learned along the way.
Throughout his lifetime Max enjoyed fishing – with his dad and all the Drefkes, teaching his kids and grandsons to fish, and eventually making trips to Canada. Winter Monday nights were spent at men’s bowling league with the Marcus Bowl team. Max was a member of the inaugural ISU Alumni Homecoming Band and marched in it for over 30 years. He and Nancy enjoyed dancing from when they began dating until their knees gave out. One of the favorite dances was their 40th anniversary celebration with a live big band comprised mostly of musicians they had met from the Air Force band. Max and Nancy traveled thousands of miles to watch their children and grandson play at ISU games and concerts, and attended countless Air Force performances. Those travels even took them to Italy.
Max was a conversationalist who could talk to anyone. He loved sharing stories and jokes and pulled some good pranks. The family delighted in bringing that special look to his eyes when they “got” him.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Nancy of Marcus, IA; his children, Donna Drefke of Polk City, IA, LuAnn and Brian Miller of Marcus, IA, and Kenny and Lisa Drefke of Poquoson, VA; grandson Brian Drefke and great-grandson Bryson Drefke of Madrid, IA, brother Dr. Ray (Ann) Drefke of Marcus, IA, brother-in-law John “Bud” (Sandy) Peterson of Hamilton, IL, sisters-in-law Diane (Keith) Grage of Gregory, SD, Virginia “Ginny” (Steve) St. Amand of San Diego, CA, and Janet Kelly of Sioux City, IA, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents John and Gertrude (Viken) Peterson, and his sister- and brother-in-law Barb and Paul Jorgenson.