Richard A. Droge

Richard Allen Droge  September 18, 1943 – February 24, 2019

Richard Allen Droge, 75, passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at Premier Estates in Pawnee City, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Dick was born Sept. 18, 1943, to Kermit and Margery Droge in Pawnee City, Nebraska. He attended East Star rural school, grades K-8, and graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1962.  He married Diane Hess of rural Pawnee City on January 26, 1962. To this union were born two sons, Jeffery Allen and Brian Lee.Dick farmed with his father until 1968, when he went into partnership with Diane’s brother, Lyle Hess. They raised hogs, cattle and grain together until 2005 when they retired and rented their farms.  Dick and Diane were avid motorcycle riders, visiting all of the lower 48 states on their motorcycle. They also traveled to Alaska and Hawaii. A special trip was their visit to a high school classmate in Portugal with Ray & Dorothy Willis.  He loved playing cards, hunting and fishing, and he bowled for over 30 years.  Dick was baptized, confirmed, and was a lifetime member of Frieden’s United Church of Christ.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his younger sister Denise Burger, his brother-in-law Dave Burger, brother-in-law Don Nevrkla, daughter-in-law, Lori Droge, and step-grandson Andrew Bernadt.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, sons Jeffery Droge (Marcy) and Brian Droge (Missy); grandchildren Jayme (Emalie) Petersen, Jillian Droge (fiancé Mark Bivens), Jordan (Natalie) Droge, and Alex Droge; and great-grandson, Garrison Droge; step-grandchildren Clayton, Miranda, Madison and Mallory Branek, and Jesse, Samantha, Seth, and Kirsten Weis; brother Gary Droge (Mary), sister Dianne Nevrkla, and nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Frieden’s United Church of Christ, rural Bern, Kansas with Reverend Ken Tubbesing officiating.  Visitation on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Pawnee City Cemetery. Memorials contributions may be given to the family's choice  with a later designation.  Condolences may be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com. 

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