Obituary for Donald L. Dreier
Donald L. Dreier, age 85 of Shawano, passed away Monday morning, April 18, 2022, following a hard-fought battle with leukemia.
Don was born in New London on September 6, 1936, the son of the late Allman and Ruth (Sielaff) Dreier. Don attended school in Shawano, graduating from Shawano High School with the Class of 1954. Following high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1958. Following graduation, he was employed as a registered pharmacist at Gallagher Pharmacy in Shawano. He then worked at pharmacies in Appleton and Antigo. In 1967, Don was accepted into veterinary school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, however he received a phone call asking if he would be interested in purchasing Rognlien Drug Store in Shawano. He said yes, and Dreier Pharmacy was founded.
On June 24, 1961, Don was united in marriage to Jana Schweppe at Peace United Church of Christ in Shawano. The couple lived, worked, and raised their family in Shawano. During his career at the pharmacy, Don was focused on one thing… service to his customers. Always kind and caring, he took considerable pride in serving others, and tripled the size of his business in the 1980’s. In 1972, Don started Shawano Power Sports, which Jana operated until 2001. Don loved recreation and spending time on the water. His work ethic was second to none, and his legacy at Dreier Pharmacy lives on through his children.
Don is a member of Peace United Church of Christ in Shawano. He loved to farm and to breed and raise Arabian horses. He enjoyed driving his tractor, bailing hay, and raising other farm animals. He had an amazing vision and love of land development, seeing things that others did not. As Don’s family grew, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and was enormously proud of their academic achievements. He also enjoyed cheering them on in their extracurricular activities. Don was a dedicated fan of the Wisconsin Badgers and the Green Bay Packers. He had an infectious smile and will be remembered for his kindness and compassion toward others. Don was a well-known and well-liked man who was respected in the community.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jana, of Shawano; his children, Tim (Paige) Dreier, and their daughters, Avery, Riley, and Anna, of Shawano; Jessica (Bart) Huntington, and their son, Cole, of Shawano; and Jenny (Ray) St. Louis, and their children, Joshua, Aaron, and Samantha, of Appleton.
Funeral services for Don will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Peace United Church of Christ in Shawano. Pastor Uriah Williams will officiate. Visitation will begin at the church on Saturday at 10:00 am and continue until the time of service. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers and plants the family prefers memorials in Don’s name to Peace United Church of Christ or to Jana Dreier. All memorials to Jana will be donated to Acute Myeloid Leukemia research.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
“The family would like to thank the oncology staff at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano, Dr. Alexander Starr, Physician Assistant Kristen Brockdorf, and the nurses and supporting staff who provided excellent care to Don for the past two years. Also, to the doctors, nurses, and support staff who cared for our husband, father, and grandfather this past weekend in Shawano.”
Don was born in New London on September 6, 1936, the son of the late Allman and Ruth (Sielaff) Dreier. Don attended school in Shawano, graduating from Shawano High School with the Class of 1954. Following high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1958. Following graduation, he was employed as a registered pharmacist at Gallagher Pharmacy in Shawano. He then worked at pharmacies in Appleton and Antigo. In 1967, Don was accepted into veterinary school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, however he received a phone call asking if he would be interested in purchasing Rognlien Drug Store in Shawano. He said yes, and Dreier Pharmacy was founded.
On June 24, 1961, Don was united in marriage to Jana Schweppe at Peace United Church of Christ in Shawano. The couple lived, worked, and raised their family in Shawano. During his career at the pharmacy, Don was focused on one thing… service to his customers. Always kind and caring, he took considerable pride in serving others, and tripled the size of his business in the 1980’s. In 1972, Don started Shawano Power Sports, which Jana operated until 2001. Don loved recreation and spending time on the water. His work ethic was second to none, and his legacy at Dreier Pharmacy lives on through his children.
Don is a member of Peace United Church of Christ in Shawano. He loved to farm and to breed and raise Arabian horses. He enjoyed driving his tractor, bailing hay, and raising other farm animals. He had an amazing vision and love of land development, seeing things that others did not. As Don’s family grew, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and was enormously proud of their academic achievements. He also enjoyed cheering them on in their extracurricular activities. Don was a dedicated fan of the Wisconsin Badgers and the Green Bay Packers. He had an infectious smile and will be remembered for his kindness and compassion toward others. Don was a well-known and well-liked man who was respected in the community.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jana, of Shawano; his children, Tim (Paige) Dreier, and their daughters, Avery, Riley, and Anna, of Shawano; Jessica (Bart) Huntington, and their son, Cole, of Shawano; and Jenny (Ray) St. Louis, and their children, Joshua, Aaron, and Samantha, of Appleton.
Funeral services for Don will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Peace United Church of Christ in Shawano. Pastor Uriah Williams will officiate. Visitation will begin at the church on Saturday at 10:00 am and continue until the time of service. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers and plants the family prefers memorials in Don’s name to Peace United Church of Christ or to Jana Dreier. All memorials to Jana will be donated to Acute Myeloid Leukemia research.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
“The family would like to thank the oncology staff at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano, Dr. Alexander Starr, Physician Assistant Kristen Brockdorf, and the nurses and supporting staff who provided excellent care to Don for the past two years. Also, to the doctors, nurses, and support staff who cared for our husband, father, and grandfather this past weekend in Shawano.”