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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Fred 'Ben' Drier
Fred 'Ben'
Drier
April 10, 1924 – March 21, 2012
Fred 'Ben' Drier's Obituary
DULUTH, Minn. – Fred "Ben" Drier, 87, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, Mich., died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.
He was born on April 10, 1924, in Ashland, Wis., the son of Fred and Edna (Dell) Drier. Ben graduated from Wakefield High School in 1942.
He entered the U.S. Army on March 8, 1943, serving in the 555th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion, Company A, in the European Theater during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a technician fifth grade on Feb. 10, 1946.
Ben married Sophie Pauline Petroff in Bessemer, Mich.
He was employed by White Pine Copper Co. for 30 years, and retired in 1984.
Ben was a past commander and lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084. He enjoyed beekeeping, gardening and cutting firewood.
Ben is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Sophie; two sons, Ed (Barb), Bessemer, and Mike (Lauana), Ironwood, Mich.; two daughters, Diane (Roger) Anderson, Wakefield, and Gale (Steve) Hensyel, Oskaloosa, Iowa; three grandchildren, Betsy (Kevin) Kivi, Wakefield, Ben Drier, Bessemer, and Andrew Drier, Marquette, Mich.; two great-grandchildren, Bailey and Tanner Kostac, both of Wakefield; two sisters, Betty (John) Rinehart, Fowlerville, Mich., and VenaMae Fitzner, Lakeview, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Rose Jurakovich, Ramsay, Mich., and Margaret Drier, Ontonagon, Mich.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six siblings, Harold, Evelyn, Elmer, Charlie, Ruthie Johnson and Ralph; and a great-grandson, Zachary C. "Zac" Kesti.
Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or funeral service.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Cataldo, Dr. Dudo, the Emergency Room and ancillary departments at Aspirus Grand View Hospital and the Coronary Intensive Care Unit at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center for their kindness and compassion.
Lakeside Memorial Chapel of Wakefield is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.
He was born on April 10, 1924, in Ashland, Wis., the son of Fred and Edna (Dell) Drier. Ben graduated from Wakefield High School in 1942.
He entered the U.S. Army on March 8, 1943, serving in the 555th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion, Company A, in the European Theater during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a technician fifth grade on Feb. 10, 1946.
Ben married Sophie Pauline Petroff in Bessemer, Mich.
He was employed by White Pine Copper Co. for 30 years, and retired in 1984.
Ben was a past commander and lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084. He enjoyed beekeeping, gardening and cutting firewood.
Ben is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Sophie; two sons, Ed (Barb), Bessemer, and Mike (Lauana), Ironwood, Mich.; two daughters, Diane (Roger) Anderson, Wakefield, and Gale (Steve) Hensyel, Oskaloosa, Iowa; three grandchildren, Betsy (Kevin) Kivi, Wakefield, Ben Drier, Bessemer, and Andrew Drier, Marquette, Mich.; two great-grandchildren, Bailey and Tanner Kostac, both of Wakefield; two sisters, Betty (John) Rinehart, Fowlerville, Mich., and VenaMae Fitzner, Lakeview, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Rose Jurakovich, Ramsay, Mich., and Margaret Drier, Ontonagon, Mich.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six siblings, Harold, Evelyn, Elmer, Charlie, Ruthie Johnson and Ralph; and a great-grandson, Zachary C. "Zac" Kesti.
Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or funeral service.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Cataldo, Dr. Dudo, the Emergency Room and ancillary departments at Aspirus Grand View Hospital and the Coronary Intensive Care Unit at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center for their kindness and compassion.
Lakeside Memorial Chapel of Wakefield is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.
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