Darrell Dreager

Darrell Lee Dreager joined his wife in Heaven on November 13, 2023, at home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He bravely battled a long list of health issues for more than a decade. He was born to Otto and Viola (Schoenbohm) Dreager on December 27, 1938, in Atlantic, Iowa.

He and the love of his life, Nadine N. Krohn, were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, on September 14, 1957. They moved to Council Bluffs, where they raised their two children, Mark and Kimberly, and were married 66 years. Darrell was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Darrell was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather.

During his senior high school year, Darrell met Nadine while they were working at JC Penney's. He graduated from Atlantic, Iowa, High School in 1956 with an emphasis on math and science. During the summers of 1955 to 1956, he worked for the Cass County Iowa Engineers in Atlantic, Iowa, on a farm to market road survey crew, surveying existing roads for upgrading. From 1956-1965 he was in the Iowa Army National Guard part time. During that time, he was Chief Radio Operator for five years at Regimental Headquarters, training all radio operators and also obtained a Secret Security Classification. His final rank was Staff Sergeant.

Darrell graduated from the Commercial Extension School of Commerce in Omaha, Nebraska around 1957 with an Accounting and Business Major. He was then employed by Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Nebraska and worked with blueprints in the engineering department. From 1958 to his retirement, Darrell worked for Northern Natural Gas Company and Enron Corporation pipeline subsidiaries. When Northern was acquired by Enron, Darrell's job was transferred to Houston. He and Nadine moved to Kingwood, Texas for 12 years. He had a strong aptitude in mathematics, aerial photo interpretation, surveying and drafting. His roles included civil project drafting and an engineering records specialist on multi-million and multi-billion-dollar pipeline projects. His responsibilities were many such as pipeline route planning, surveys, developing strip maps, as-built schematics, and plat sheets as well as all appurtenances including town border stations and pump stations. He retired with 41 years of service and the couple moved back to Council Bluffs after retirement.

Darrell was a team captain for eight years for the annual Henry Doorly Zoo membership drive while employed with Northern Natural Gas. He was involved with the Boy Scouts of America from 1970 to 1982 where he held a variety of volunteer positions. Those included Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop Committee Chairman, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and District Commissioner. As Scoutmaster, he guided 7 of 12 young men from Scout to Eagle Scout, an accomplishment never obtained in the Trailblazer District. His son, Mark, was one of those obtaining Eagle Scout.

Darrell helped Nadine realize her dream to have an annual reunion for all live radio entertainers and their fans. The weekend expedition started at Westfair in Council Bluffs and moved to Shenandoah, Iowa. Radio fans traveled from many states to hear their favorite entertainers from the past. Darrell was co-director of all marketing, arrangements and schedules for local and national entertainers, contests and judges, concessions, Red Cross, security and ground personnel, craftspeople and more. Darrell assisted Nadine in operating the Patsy Montana ('America's Cowboy Sweetheart') international fan club for 13 years.

Darrell and Nadine joined her fellow zoo docents to travel to Kenya for a photographic safari for 16 days at the end of 1982. It was a trip of a lifetime. Darrell was an avid photographer, knew how to set up a camera for different shots and lighting, and would develop his film in a dark room in the basement of his home. He was also very talented with his hands and could build or repair many things.

Darrell had a wonderful and successful life. We will miss his love and devotion to all of us dearly.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Nadine Dreager; parents Otto and Viola (Schoenbohm) Dreager.

Survivors include brothers, Norman and Gordon (Roanna) Dreager of Arizona; daughter, Kimberly (Rick) of Omaha; son, Mark (Lori) of Council Bluffs; granddaughter, Rebecca Mahlberg and grandson Nathan Dreager of Council Bluffs; great-granddaughters Amaiah, Addie; and great-grandson Axel Mahlberg of Council Bluffs; sister-in-law Karen (Ron) Mehsling of Council Bluffs; nephew Bradley (Anita) Mehsling of Gretna, Nebraska and their children Alicia, Tayler, Whitney, Payton, Kevin, Grace and Emily; niece Michelle (Jim) Meyers of Howell, Michigan and their children Kaitlyn and William.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023 at 10:00 am at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home. Visitation held an hour prior to service. Interment is in Graceland Cemetery in Avoca, Iowa. Memorials are suggested to Broadway United Methodist Church or Midlands Humane Society.