DREESHEN Herman Jr. With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our family's beloved patriarch Herman Dreeshen Jr. on November 21, 2008, at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, at the age of 87. Herman was born August 1, 1921 second child of Herman and Sophie Dreeshen. Herman lived most of his life in the Howells Lake District near Pine Lake. In 1939 Herman completed a course in Diesel Engineering in Chicago. Upon returning he worked as a mechanic at General Motors in Three Hills. In 1941 he went to Sturgis, Saskatchewan to work in a sawmill in the winter and a farm in the summer. A lifetime of love began for Herman when he met his soon-to-be wife Verna Maureen Boen at a dance. They were married on June 29 1943. Herman's true calling was farming and in 1944 he purchased his first quarter of land, gradually expanding the land base, which all of his sons are still farming. in 1951 Herman built a home on the NE 22-35-25 W4 where there were many happy, busy years for Herman and Verna farming and raising their four boys. Next to farming Dad loved to square dance and traveled far and wide in order to participate. Wherever he went you could be sure that he would arrive with his trusty brown bag over his shoulder with Skip Bo and Dominoes' to play chicken foot with whoever was willing. Herman was involved with the Elnora Hospital Board, and the Innisfail Town Theater for many years. Herman lived in Innisfail for the past 20 years in the house that he and Verna had built for their retirement years. The past eight months Herman lived at Club Sierra Seniors Community in Red Deer. Herman's greatest pride in his life were his four sons, Alan (Barbara), Earl (Judy) Russell (Jody) and Dwayne (Jody), all of the Pine Lake area. His 10 grandchildren; Tony, Cody, Shannon, Katie, Pamela, Annette, Kimberly, Megan, Mark and Devin. As well five special great grandchildren; Brycen, Kameron, Luke, Thomas and Kadence. He is survived by his siblings Joe (Mildred) Dreeshen and Margaret (Ron) Underwood, and their families. Special niece Sylvia (Clarence) Mammel and family and special cousin G. G. (Gary) Mansfield as well as the many very special relatives of the HUGE Boen family. Herman was predeceased sadly by his loving wife Verna in 1988, his parents and his sister Sophie. A special thank you to the staff at Club Sierra, Unit 32 and many doctors for their care of Dad over the past few months. Herman also had a special guardian angel Elna Olsen come into his life in the past few months. She spent many hours caring for Dad. Thank you Elna! The twinkling blue eyes, the ever present smile and the quiet gentleman will be remembered by all who knew him. He has joined Verna the love of his life. We know they are dancing together once again. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Herman Dreeshen Jr. will be held on Saturday, November 29 at the Pine Lake Ag Park at 11:00 am with the Reverend Jeanne Hunter officiating. Donations in Herman's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Suite 345, 10909 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB. T5J 3L9. Heartland Funeral Services of Innisfail in charge of arrangements.