Richard "Dick" Drager
October 16, 1945 - October 03, 2013
Obituary
MADISON/MAZOMAINE-Richard Merle Drager, age 67, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013 at St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was born on Oct. 16, 1945 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Dodgeville, to Merle and Gail (Keyes) Drager. He spent his early childhood in Dodgeville and graduated from Black Earth High School in 1963. After high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served a tour in Viet Nam in 1965 -1967.
His interests included hunting almost anything and most especially his repeated elk hunts to the Homestead Ranch in Montana. He was looking forward to this year’s trip and will be very much missed by his hunting partners and the owners and guides from the ranch.
Dick went through the sheet metal apprenticeship and worked in the sheet metal industry all of his working life. He finally retired from the company that he started, Metal Design Corporation, in October of 2010 and “lived the life” after that, hunting and hanging out with his best friends at the Antlers Tavern. He loved their company!
He is survived by the love of his life Vicki Volenberg; children, Lauri (Bill Radcliffe) Drager and James (Cindy) Drager; stepsons, Ryan (Amanda) Volenberg and Adam (Audrey Spaite) Volenberg; grandchildren, Sawyer, Brea, Logan and Kelsie; step grandchildren, Carson and Aubrey and Phoebe.
He is further survived by sisters, Sharon (Roy Hall) Schlough, Debby (Dan) Pertzborn; brothers, Patrick (Anita), Jesse (Donna), John (Linda), Merle, Thomas (Shelley) and Ned, 23 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Merle; and brothers, Daniel and Mark.
A Celebration of Dick’s Life will be held at his favorite place, THE ANTLERS TAVERN, 2202 Broadway, Monona, WI on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, beginning at 1 p.m. with military honors being conducted.
We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Mary’s ER, Cadiology and Intensive Care Unit for the wonderful care that Dick was given. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family or to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Service
Sat Nov 9, 2013 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
The Antlers Tavern • 2202 W. Broadway, Monona, WI null
Photos
No photos of Richard "Dick" have been shared yet.
Memories
HS
Homer Simpson
Other •
Dick u have no idea how much u will be missed at the Antlers. The hunting trips the stories and the fun will never be the same.
See u on the mountain
Love
Homer and Susan
TP
Tami Paus-Soleim
Other •
My heart goes out to my aunt and family as they process the life without the one they love. You all are forever in my heart as I know uncle Dick is looking down and watching over you all. He is up in heaven with grandpa talking about their hunting stories and perhaps they are even hunting together in heaven :) He will forever be in our hearts till it is time for us to join those who have gone before us...till then we will never forget you....RIP Dick
RK
Robert Kozak
Other •
To the family of Dick Drager:
I worked with Dick for many years at Mechanical Team and have occasionally shared a few drinks with him at the Antler's Tavern in recent years. I always thought a lot of Dick and am sorry to hear or his passing. I am unable to come to his celebration of life, but will be with him in thought and prayers. --Bob Kozak
PL
patricia L.Hancock
Other •
Hey Dick Miss ya all ready what memories we made as kids. like when we got back from France and I was in Mineral Point and you threw me over your shoulder and took me back to Aunt Hopes I thought I was pretty grown up and you said not for American boys I was 13. Didn't go back to the dance you stayed in town, Love Ya and Miss Ya Love always Patsy Thanks for serving our country I wish I could be there and with all you and so very sorry My thoughts are with you always Patsy and Richard Hancock From Texas Cousins you are and always will be so very special to me Aunt Gail know I there in thought and prayer for you and they family
IB
Ilene Bright
Other •
To Lauri, Sawyer and Brie, you are in my thoughts at this sad time. He loved you all and was so very proud of you all. I think like "ol blue eyes" he did it his way and he loved and was loved. You were the apples of his eyes. He will be missed. Love, Ilene