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Prudence Draeger

Prudence Draeger

Prudence "Prudy" L. (Lien) Draeger passed away early Saturday morning, April 21, 2012, from medical complications following a fall earlier in the week while attending a baseball game. She was 88 years young.

A memorial service will be held at Albany First United Methodist Church, 1115 28th Ave. SW, Saturday, May 12, at 2 p. m.

Prudy was the oldest child of Halvor and Clara (Martinsen) Lien of Wolf Point, Mont. After being born on Aug. 29, 1923, in Tioga, N.D., she was raised on a dry-land farm south of Wolf Point. She is survived by her brother, Edward Lien of Billings, Mont., and her sister, Shirley Zimmerman of Wolf Point, Mont.

She married Walter E. Draeger on Christmas Day in 1943 in Wolf Point. Walt and Prudy settled in Havre, Mont., where they raised six children. They moved to Klamath Falls, Ore., in 1971, and eight years later moved to Brownsville, Ore. After Walt passed away in November 2000, Prudy moved to the Mennonite Village in Albany, Ore.

Prudy's professional career started as an elementary teacher in Havre. After earning her master's at Montana State University-Northern, she became a reading specialist in Klamath Falls, Ore., in 1971. In 1975, Prudy became the principal of Bly Elementary School in Bly, Ore. Walt and Prudy moved to Brownsville, Ore., in 1979, where she was the elementary school principal until her retirement in 1985.

After retiring, Prudy continued being active in the Methodist Church, Brownsville Study Club and the Salem Rigid Heddle Weavers. She volunteered in the local elementary SMART Program, at the Mennonite Village doing such things as opening for game night, helping out at the nursing home and working in the library. Her connection with young women at the Oak Creek Correctional Center touched her heart. Surrounded by an ever-growing number of friends, her curiosity led her to try multiple new experiences. She took up playing bridge, bunko, deep-sea fishing, yoga, oil painting, traveling and continuing to be an avid reader.

Prudy is survived and greatly missed by all of her children, William "Bill" H. Draeger of Oregon City, Ore., Robert "Bob" W. Draeger of Apex, N.C., Alice Sorensen-Giebeler of Keizer, Ore., Susan E. Knapp of Monroe, Ore., Donald "Don" C. Draeger of Independence, Ore., and Janet K. Smith of Eugene, Ore. In-laws who were considered her adopted children Carolyn Draeger of Oregon City, Susan E. Draeger of Apex, Tom Giebeler of Keizer, Wayne Sorensen of Redmond, Ore., Joseph Bailey of Monroe, and Debbie Draeger of Independence. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

The family request that instead of flowers, contributions in Prudy Draeger's name be made to the Brownsville Library, Mennonite Foundation or FISH of Albany and can be sent in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St. SW, Albany, OR 97321.

Contributions may also be sent to a charity of your choice.

 

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