Ark Valley News - MARIAN DROEGEMEIER

MARIAN DROEGEMEIER
Last Updated: March 23, 2015

Marian May (Skaggs) Droegemeier, 90, of Russell, formerly of Valley Center, died March 20, 2015. She had been an assistant librarian for 20 years at West and Abilene elementary schools in Valley Center.

She was born Dec. 16, 1924, in rural Hastings, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Frances (Crouse) Skaggs. She grew up and attended schools in Glenwood, Iowa. She married Elvyn Davidson, a Navy ensign, in December 1945 prior to him going off to war. After his death when his ship was lost at sea, she earned a degree in sociology and psychology from Ottawa University. She married Lynn Droegemeier on July 27, 1947, in Frederick. They lived in Geneseo, Salina, Syracuse, Wichita and Valley Center. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Valley Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law and a niece. Survivors include son Douglas Droegemeier of Wichita; daughters Gaye (Allen) Friess of Kechi, Carol Funk of Russell and Ann (Alan) Johnson of Seattle, Wash.; grandchildren Drew and Chad Droegemeier, Alex Funk and Karly Funk-Standley, and Adam and Meredith Johnson; great-grandchildren Grant, Claire and Noah Droegemeier; sister June McMahill; sister-in-law Lois Boy; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 24, with a celebration of life at 11 a.m. March 25, both at Baker Funeral Home in Valley Center. Burial will follow at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Bentley. Memorials to the Valley Center Public Library or the Marian Droegemeier Fund for children's books at the Abilene and West elementary schools libraries.