Lloyd Joseph Drees, age 86, of Urbandale, IA, formerly of Carroll, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024, at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale.
Visitation will be held from 10:30-11:30 A.M. on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at the Carroll American Legion with a prayer service at 11:30 A.M. with Deacon Scott Steffen officiating. Honorary casket bearers will be Nathen Drees, Adam Drees, Drew Tobin, and Joseph Drees. Burial will be held in the Carroll City Cemetery in Carroll with full Military Honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Allan Drees at 424 33rd St., West Des Moines, IA, 50265 which will be split between St. Croix Hospice and the Carroll American Legion.
Lloyd Joseph Drees was born on April 19, 1937, in Carroll, IA, and was the son of Richard and Leona (Reiman) Drees. Lloyd grew up on his family’s farm west of Carroll. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1955. Following his schooling, Lloyd worked on his family’s dairy farm and had several side jobs. Lloyd joined the Army Reserves in Carroll in 1956 and served six years. He was married to Mercedes Catherine Kirsch on April 4, 1959, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Roselle by Fr. Graft. The couple lived on a farm near Carroll for eight years before purchasing a dairy farm in Adair County. He earned his private pilot’s license in Greenfield, IA, in 1972. Lloyd and Mercedes had four children whom they loved dearly, and they extended that love by fostering several other children as well. In 2002, Lloyd and Mercedes moved back to Carroll where Lloyd worked for Hy-Vee in the dairy department. He was a member of the Carroll Car Club and the Carroll American Legion where he served as Commander. After Mercedes passed in 2021, Lloyd made the brave decision to uproot his life and move closer to his family by living in the Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale, IA, a community that quickly became a second home and dear family to Lloyd. Lloyd was a consummate father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be lovingly remembered for his beautiful wood creations, his many great catches while fishing, his willingness to say ‘yes’ to any and all adventures his progeny invited him on, and his never-ending and often very quippy smack-talk over a hand of cards. Although Lloyd jokingly called himself the ‘grumpy grandpa,’ his family and friends will remember him for his easy laughter, his warm hugs, and his heart, which loved deeply and often. Although we miss him dearly, we feel great solace knowing that he will be forever dancing with his soulmate and only dance partner, Mercedes.
Lloyd is survived by his children: Dan Drees (Linda) of Pleasant Hill, IA, Brian Drees (Melinda) of Grinnell, IA, Lisa Tobin (Bernie) of Half Moon Bay, CA, and Allan Drees (Julie) of West Des Moines, IA; 10 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; sister, Diane Venteicher (Roland) of Carroll; sisters-in-law, Bernice Drees of Mapleton and Monica Nellesen (Norman) of Carroll; brothers-in-laws: Andrew Kirsch of Carroll, Duane Kirsch (Betty) of Carroll, and Virgil Kirsch (Peggy) of Carroll; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mercedes Drees; parents, Richard and Leona Drees; brother Richard Drees and sisters, Pearl Brown and Phyllis Steffen.
