Harley Drees, 64, died Friday, March 31, 2006 at Altu Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 PM, Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at St. Bernards Church, Thief River Falls, MN, with Father Tim McGee presiding. Burial will be at St. Bernards Cemetery, Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be 4 " 7 PM, Monday, April 3, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls and for one hour prior to service at the church Tuesday.

Harley Leigh Drees was born August 9, 1941 at Thief River Falls, the son of Nickie and Pearl Muriel (Ortloff) Drees. He attended school in St. Hilaire, MN and graduated Lincoln High School, Thief River Falls.

On August 8, 1959, Harley married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Jane Battleson at St. Bernards Church, Thief River Falls. The couple made their home in St. Hilaire, where Harley worked as a salesman for various companies in Northwest Minnesota.

He was an avid sports fan, especially the "Fighting Sioux", a master at gardening and loved his dog "Snuffy". He had an eclectic sense for music.

Harley is survived by wife, Barb, St. Hilaire, MN; children, HolliLynn (Steven) Anderson, Warroad, MN, Kris Drees, Warroad, MN, Paul (Amy Wasness) Drees, Grand Forks, ND and Ryan (Shizuka) Drees, Tokyo, Japan; 5 grandchildren, Erika Grace, Thomas, Christopher, Casey and Elise; a sister, Marlene Ortloff, St. Hilaire, MN; a brother, Nickie (Deb) Drees, Thief River Falls, MN and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents.