Elsie Drees, 95, died on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at Northwest Medical Center, CNC Unit, Thief River Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, August 19, 2006 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Tim Bushy presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Red lake Falls.

Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. on Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red lake Falls.

Elsie Barrett was born on November 22, 1910 in Crookston, MN, the daughter of Joseph and Angeline (Carpenter) Barrett. She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith at the Cathedral in Crookston, MN. She was raised and attended school in Crookston, and later moved to Dorothy, MN with her family.

Elsie was united in marriage to Peter Drees on November 24, 1931 at St. Dorothy Catholic Church in Dorothy, MN. The couple made their home in Dorothy until 1947 when they moved to Red Lake Falls. The couple was blessed with two children, Darlene and Marvin. Elsie and Peter also opened their home to raise Julie, Johnny and Duane Drees.

She worked at R and D and cookedat Margaret Murphys, retiring in the late 1960s. Peter died in 1978 and Elsie continued to live at home until November of 2004, when she moved to Northwest Medical Center, CNC Unit in Thief River Falls.

Elsie enjoyed crafts and watching TV. She was very fussy with her clothing and appearance and always spoke her mind.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters. Elsie was a very devout with her faith.

Elsie is survived by two children, Darlene (Larry) Bottem of Thief River Falls, MN and Marvin (Pat) Drees of San Diego, CA; nine grandchildren: Jeff (Lynda) Bottem of Plano, TX, Laurie (Chuck) Kelly of Miles City, MT, Kathy Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN, Greg (Robin) Bottem of Thief River Falls, MN, Tim (Lisa) Bottem of Thief River Falls, MN, Randy (Jennifer) Drees of San Diego, CA, David Drees of San Diego, CA, DeAnn Drees of San Diego, CA and Matt Drees of San Diego, CA; 12 great grandchildren; and several friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter; her parents; sisters: Margaret, Eva, Grace and Blanche; and one brother, Lewis.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
CASKETBEARERS: Ben Murphy, Jim Murphy, Gary Rose, Tim Bottem, Greg Bottem and Cody Bottem