Lloyd Carl Ernest Drahn, 100, of Monona, Iowa died July 26, 2018 at Good Samaritan Center in Postville, Iowa. He was born March 27, 1918 on the family farm near Froelich, Iowa to parents Fred and Emilie Kaiser Drahn. He was the ninth of eleven children and his mother stated he was the only one to wait for the doctor to arrive for delivery. Thus began a lifelong love of farming and stewardship of land and farm animals. Lloyd was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. He attended the Drahn Country School and graduated from Monona High School in 1935. This education began a love of reading and poetry in particular. Lloyd would be referred to as a “farmer poet” and was known to recite poetry from those days until the end of his life.
After high school, Lloyd farmed with his father until World War II called him to a life changing journey in Europe. Lloyd volunteered for the Army and served with the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion, Company C. As with many of the “Greatest Generation” this experience would be a pivotal life event. Lloyd served in the European theater during 1944 and 45. He was the recipient of four bronze stars and one bronze arrowhead for having gone through four major campaigns and the Anzio Beach Invasion. Lloyd journeyed through Italy and France and finished the war in Germany. There, as a German American, he pondered the role of the German people in that horrible war and spoke with the German people often in an attempt to build bridges of communication and understanding.
After the war Lloyd attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago and became an electrician. He would combine “wiring” and farming for many years. While there Lloyd worked at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago. For the rest of his life, he would be an exceptional help and “nurse” to those who were not feeling well.
On August 8, 1954 Lloyd was united in marriage with Marjorie Charlotte Otis at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. To this union three children were born. The couple farmed in the Monona-Farmersburg area until retiring to Monona in 1994. Marjorie was a teacher and Lloyd supported her efforts by driving her on icy roads and visiting her classrooms for “story time.” Lloyd was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Lloyd loved to work on his farm and care for his dairy cattle. He had a bit of spare time to play softball, town team baseball, golf, cards, read, travel, do crossword puzzles, follow the Twins and Vikings, and participate in the American Legion and AMVETS. Lloyd has been a member of Lutheran Churches in Monona and Farmersburg all his life. He spent several years teaching Sunday School, volunteering at the Monona Butterfly Garden, and serving on the board of the Monona Historical Society.
Lloyd is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Monona, Iowa; three children; Cindy (Gary) Dostal of Muskego, Wisconsin; Chris (Pat) Drahn of Arden Hills, Minnesota; and Sally (Alan) Miller of Boone, Iowa; five grandchildren; Andrew Dostal of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Tim (Jennifer Lehmann) Drahn of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Katie (Patrick) Gleason of Golden Valley, Minnesota, Cory Miller and Jacob Miller both of Boone, Iowa; one sister: Aloha Drahn of Downer’s Grove, Illinois. and many nieces and nephews.
Lloyd is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Walter Drahn, Irwin Drahn, Glendor Drahn, Elwin Drahn, and Everett Drahn; sisters: Edna Henkes, Laura Nugent, Sophia Lange, and Eileen McWhorter.
Visitation will be Friday, August 17, 2018 from 4-7 pm at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on Saturday August 18, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona, Iowa with Rev. Erika Kielstrup as the Officiant.
Burial will follow at Monona Cemetery, Monona, Iowa with Military Rites, Monona, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.