Agnes M. (Bugge) Drees passed away November 18, 2005 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN. Thru her difficult struggle with rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimers disease, her humor and her sweet smiling spirit remained for years.

Agnes was born to Alma (Berggren) Bugge and John J. Bugge on November 6, 1909 in Numedal Township, Red Lake County, Thief River Falls, MN. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and attended school through the 8th grade. Her mother, Alma originally from Sweden and her father, John, originally from Norway met in Minnesota, got married, raised five daughters and four sons as they also owned and operated a farm near Thief River Falls for many years.

Third oldest daughter, Agnes worked at Mercy Hospital for several years, then traveled out west during World War II to work at the Bremerton, Washington Naval shipyards, returning to Thief River Falls as the war was concluding. She then worked at a number of restaurants in Thief River Falls and married Hillie Drees on July 22, 1943 in Dorothy, MN. They then bought The Diner , a local rail car-based restaurant in Thief River Falls, operating it as well as starting or buying various other local businesses over time including two farms.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, Hillie on September 19, 1982; mother; father; two sisters, Lillian Bugge and Myrtle Nelson; three brothers, Wilhelm Bill , Adolph and Earl Bugge and survived by one brother, Rudolph Rudy who currently resides at Oakland Park Nursing Home and two sisters, Mae Davis of Bremerton, Washington and Adeline Wutzke of Yakima, Washington. Also surviving are seven nephews, Neil, Bruce, Keith and John Bugge of Thief River Falls, Robert Simonson of Bremerton, Washington, Roger Engen of Juneau, Alaska, Gary Engen of Yakima, Washington and one niece, Caryl Bugge of Thief River Falls.

Maybe the best way to sum up who Agnes was would be to sayshe always put the needs of others before her own.

A personal note from Adeline Wutzke, Roger and Gary Engen: So many good deeds by Agnes come to mind. Aunt Agnes bought winter coats for Roger and Gary when they were 5 and 6 years old, they were so proud of those coats. When I worked at The diner they would come over there from school for their lunch. They only wanted to eat their desert, just some sweets. I insisted that they clean up their plates first, they would always fuss over their peas and carrots and what not, then when I was in the kitchen, Agnes would sneak over to the boys and get rid of what was left on their plates so when I came back to where they were sitting, they could claim that they had eaten everything and were then deserving of their deserts. I eventually figured out what she was doing, but she wouldnt quit doing it because she got a kick out of helping them get what they really wanted.

WORDS ON A PAGE
Can they possibly convey the essence of any human being?
Can words define who someone was?
Can they effectively describe any of us?
Of course they can only give us a glimpse at best
and when you are trying to communicate with words
the character of someone that was indeed seen as very special
by all who know her, words seem so very, very lacking.
Agnes Drees, (maiden name Bugge), was a cheerful
and strong-hearted soul who lifted everyone elses troubles to her shoulders
and carried them along lifes road as tho they were her very own.
There are people that will help out now and then,
many good folks indeed, but Agnes decided at some point very early on
in her life to be a faithfully reliable helper for others even as she then found
it necessary to ignore any particular problems she, herself might have.
That was Agnes, too busy helping others and no time for herself.
She was the sort of person that no matter what your troubles,
once in her presence youd feel the weight of your problems lift
and that was because she took your troubles onto herself.
There are many, many sacrifices that Agnes made in time,
money, effort and her own her own health to be of aid to others.
With words we blithely say so and so was a generous person, a kind,
giving person and we should say it, everyone needs positive feedback,
a thank you. I appreciate what you did is apt recognition
when another does a good deed, but what do you say
when someone devoted their entire life to the unselfish goal
of not only doing everyone elses worrying,
but consistently and ardently applied herself to solve their problems as well?
What do you say?
Only words..
God Bless you Agnes (Bugge) Drees, you were one of the best of us, and if
Gods got anyone on the topfloor/in heaven with problems they need sharing,
you can roll your sleeves up again as were sure Hell be happy to have you
continue to apply your loving and selfless caring.
But since now it will be for those upstairs to appreciate your work,
we may be left to find a way to get along without your devotion
to helping us thru this life down here on earth.
Rather than simply repeat an oft heard refrain,
instead, that your beautiful heart stays here with us, we will pray,
that its not just Our loss, and heavens gain