Draayer, Dorothy N. (Mrs. Nicholas "Nick") 1925-2019

DRAAYER, KIEL, KRAMER

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

It is with earthly sorrow, yet with the promises of eternal joy, peace and rest, that we share that Dorothy Nelvina (Kramer) Draayer passed from this life to glory on Saturday, November 2, 2019, surrounded by family singing and praying with her on her final journey.

There will be a celebration of life on Friday, November 8, at 10:00am, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. Dr. Donald Draayer and the Rev. Mark Vande Zande will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation will be after 2:00pm on Thursday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Dorothy was born on February 22, 1925, to Henry and Loumina ("Minnie" Kiel) Kramer, the sixth of seven children, on her parent's farm west of Orange City. She was married to Nicholas (Nick) Draayer on February 16, 1944, in the very same house. Shortly thereafter, Nick was sent to Japan during WWII.

She attended country school through the eighth grade, receiving her diploma on August 23, 1938.

Dorothy grew up as a caregiver. As a young teenager, she cared for her bed-ridden mother. Her mother passed away on Christmas Day in 1941, when Dorothy was sixteen years old. She often mentioned that during this time her mother ‘picked’ Nick for her. Since she was so young, she knew that she was not allowed to go on dates, but when Nick came around, her mother gave her special permission. From there grew a love that lasted 64 years in marriage before Nick was called to glory on November 9, 2008.

After her mother passed away, she began taking care of many children. In particular, she cared for her nephew, Jacob Cleveringa, who was disabled due to a brain tumor. She also cared for many newborn babies and their families in their homes.

Growing up she picked corn by hand and milked cows by hand and later milked with the aid of milking machines. Also, Dorothy worked for over twenty-two years for Hope Haven RTC and for several years before that, for what was the Sioux County Home.

Dorothy enjoyed doing embroidery on pillowcases and towels and sharing them with family members. She was able to continue this hobby until her fingers would no longer cooperate and also "she lost her needle in her thigh."

In her own words, she was an avid reader. After Nick’s death she made several trips to Kansas to visit her son and his family, being able to attend many sporting events. She also traveled to Washington state to visit her sister-in-law, to Dallas, Texas, to visit a son and grandchildren, and to Iowa City and Denver, Colorado, with each of her daughters to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After she was no longer able to travel, she kept up with all of her children and grandchildren all across the country by almost continually watching the Weather Channel.

She was a baptized and professing member and also a member of the Faith, Hope and Love Society at First Christian Reformed Church in Orange City, and the Monica Society at Orange City Christian School.

Dorothy loved to sing and listen to others sing hymns, and she also could play the piano by ear.

We were able to share Mom’s wit and humor over the years but especially these past six months. She was an amazing woman who brought joy, love and laughter to her family and those around her. Nightly she would pray for all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attempting to recite each of their names.

Their marriage was blessed with four children who survive her; Don (Joanne) Draayer, from East Saint Paul, Manitoba, Canada; Nancy (Ed) DeLeeuw, from Orange City, Iowa; Lora (Jerry) DeVries, from Sioux Center, Iowa; and Dave (Stephanie) Draayer, from Downs, Kansas. Thirteen grandchildren have been blessed by a dear Grandma; Tanya (Syla) Baccam, Donovan (CeAnn) Draayer, Natalie (David) Akerele, Trisha (Evan) Booy and Nick (Larissa) Draayer; Anna (Jason) DeGoei, Maria (Philip) Rehberger, Nick (Allison) DeLeeuw and Deidra (Jared) Ehrp; Tara (Steve) Dekkers and Chad (Jessi) DeVries; Renzo Draayer and Alida Draayer. Dorothy (Oma) was also known and loved by thirty great-grandchildren.

Also surviving, are sisters-in-law Alma Kramer, Gladys DeWeerd and Cynthia Kruid; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary and Sandy Draayer, and Ken and Belle Draayer.

Memorials may be directed to the Orange City Christian School and the Sioux Center Christian School.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.