Kenneth Paul Drey

BRIGGS, CAMPBELL, DREY, HACKWELL, HEISTERKAMP, MASON, NEHL, LINK, SAMPERS, SHERIDAN

Posted By: CMD (email)
Date: 8/14/2007 at 11:04:23

Powers Funeral Home, Monday, August 13, 2007

Kenneth Paul Drey was born September 9, 1929 in Early, Iowa to Helena(Sampers) Drey and John Elmer Drey. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Early in 1947. Ken studied at Drake University and later graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1951, with a BA in Philosophy and English and a minor in Latin. He lived and taught English and drama for five years in Adair, Massena and Creston.
On August 6, 1955, Ken married Catherine Sheridan at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Creston. Catherine died in 1977. He started Drey's Sporting Goods in 1955 and operated it for 46 years. It opened at 115 W. Adams Street for three years then moved to 107 North Elm Street in 1972. He later relocated to 221 West Adams Street. While operating the store, Ken was a big sponsor of little league football and baseball teams. In his childhood days, Ken was a pitcher in grade school, high school and then on hometown teams.
On September 8, 2000, Ken married Gladys Hackwell in Creston. They made their home in Creston. Ken was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church where he served as a lector, RCIA instructor, and as a Parish Council member. He was a 50 year Member of the Knights of Columbus, and was the former sexton at the Calvary Cemetery. Ken was also a member of the Afton Lakeshore Golf and Country Club, the Elk's Lodge and the Eagle's Lodge, all of Creston. He also served on the Parks and Recreation Board in Creston.
Ken is survived by his wife, Gladys Drey of Creston, two daughters, Jean (husband Bruce) Mason of Altoona and Anne (husband Marc) Nehl of Broomfield, Colorado; three sons, Brian and wife Michelle (Link) of Winterset, Steve and fiance Jodi Briggs of Chicago, Illinois, and Scott and wife Courtney of Evanston, Illinois; a step-daughter, Robyn (husband Brian) Campbell of Cromwell, and three step-sons, Sidney and wife, Lori Hackwell of Miami, Oklahoma, Kory and wife, Lynn Hackwell of Granbury, Texas and Sheldon Hackwell of Laurel, Montana; nine grandchildren, Carla and Ryan Mason, Grant and McKenna Nehl, Carter, Jessica, Angela, Noah and Aliyah Drey; seven step-grandchildren, Sydney Trevor, Chase and Chelsea Hackwell, Khord and Seth Campbell, and Tarrah Holliday; two brothers, John and wife, Elaine Drey of Pasadena, Texas and Thomas and wife, Dorie Drey of Council Bluffs; three sisters, Dorothy and husband, Bob Heisterkamp of Breda, Margaret Drey and Joan Drey, both of St. Paul, Minnesota; two sisters-in-law, Marian Drey and Chris Drey, both of Early.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Catherine, a son Bruce, and two brothers, Pete and Joseph Drey.