Virgil R. Dreher Sauk Rapids, Minnesota Obituary

Virgil R. Dreher

Celebration of the life of Virgil Dreher, 87 of Sartell will be at 10:00 am Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of the St Cloud Area in Sartell, Minn. Virgil passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Country Manor Health Care Center of Sartell. Pastor Leah Rosso will officiate and burial will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Sartell. Friends and relatives may call from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Monday October 29th, 2018 at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and also 1 hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Virgil Richard Dreher was born September 13, 1931 in Hays, Kansas to Matthew and Anna (Sauer) Dreher. Virgil grew up on a farm in Schoenschen, Kansas. He married Phyllis (Zelenka) on August 10, 1952 at Grace Evangelical Reform Church in Seward, Kansas. Virgil joined the United States Naval Reserve, started Pharmacy School then was recruited to manage a Rexall Drugstore in Great Bend, Kansas. Virgil and Phyllis owned and operated Dreher's Sundries in Great Bend. A move to Willmar, Minn. Jan 1968 for a new Rexall traveling salesman position meant the chance to build a new lake home. Rexall Drug Company promoted Virgil to the Rexall Drug headquarters in St Louis in 1980 where his job descriptions included Assistant Administrator, District Sales Manager, and National Accounts Manager. He later became the Vice President of the sales division for Pharmacy Buyer's Association. Virgil retired in 1999. Virgil and his wife Phyllis became members of the United Methodist Church, St Cloud Region after returning to Minn. in 2007. They were instrumental in building the new church in Sartell. Virgil loved yardwork, bible study, barbequing, church activities, and walking. He also loved to play Scrabble and Bridge, spending time with family and friends, and singing! Virgil was active in the church Men's Group, ELKS Organization, the SALT program, and the Sartell Senior Connection. Survivors include his daughters and son, Kala (Roger) Haller of Sauk Rapids, Brian (Stacey-Simek Dreher) of Sherman, Illinois, and Barbara (Rick) Ianniello of Mason, Ohio; grandchildren, Kyle, Chad, Matthew, Chelsea, Angela and Isaiah; great-grandchildren, Meridy, Knox, Maren, and Quincy; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; parents; and siblings, Lucille Scheck, Alvin, Elmer, and Bernadette Leikam. Memorials are preferred to the Country Manor Foundation. The family wishes to extend a special thank-you to the entire staff at Country Manor Health Care Center for the loving care they gave to Virgil and to St Croix Hospice.
September 13, 1931 - October 20, 201809/13/193110/20/2018
Share Obituary:

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Tribute wall

Plant a tree in memory of Virgil

An environmentally friendly option
W
Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home
October 26, 2018
B
Brenda Wise Tannahill
October 29, 2018
It seemed as if Uncle Virgil was closer in generation than my Grandmother's Brother because he always treated us as if we were...writing letters, reaching out and dining with me in Wichita once when he was in town. I will always remember him as a meaningful and genuine i... Continue Reading
Sue Trout
October 29, 2018
To Virgil's Family; my deepest sympathy to all of you; lost touch with your Dad in the last few years; I chair the Zelenka family reunion in Kansas and he used to send me an email or note in the mail to share with the family. I grew up in GB and my dad, John Zelenka, sp... Continue Reading
Candle of Memories was posted for Virgil R. Dreher.
Candle of Memories was posted for Virgil R. Dreher.
T
Tribute Store
October 29, 2018
White Tranquility

White Tranquility was purchased for the family of Virgil R. Dreher.

T
Tribute Store
October 28, 2018
Sunny Memories

Sunny Memories was purchased for the family of Virgil R. Dreher.

W
Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home
October 26, 2018
+ 28
G
Gayle Cell
October 24, 2018
My fondest memory of uncle Virgil is the letters he would send to my mom an me. When my mother(his sister) would be sick he would draw stick figures of him stomping out the bug that was making her sick. It would always brighten her day when she received a letter from hi... Continue Reading
Butterfly was posted for Virgil R. Dreher.
Butterfly was posted for Virgil R. Dreher.
A
Alene J. Clarke
October 24, 2018
My most sincere condolences to all the family - I know how much you will miss him.
He was a wonderful life-long friend . My only regret is that we did not get together more often to re-live all the wonderful memories we all had together.
May you all find joy in you...
Continue Reading
M
Merle and Marjorie Bengston
October 24, 2018
We were friends with Virgil and Phyllis during our time in Missouri. We cherish the memories of working together on church projects and all the social events we shared with them. We extend our sympathy to the family for their loss. We will keep all of you in our thoug... Continue Reading