Elsie Rose (Opelia) Dreher

Elsie Rose Dreher 93 year old of rural Long Prairie, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday March 24th, 2024, surrounded by her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the St. Mary’s of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie. Rosary will be prayed at the church that morning at 9:15 AM. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the start of the Mass at the church, Burial will immediately follow the service at the church cemetery. 

Elsie was born on August 23, 1930 to Peter and Katherine (Gaida) Opelia in Browerville, MN. She graduated from the Browerville High School in 1948. She moved to Minneapolis and worked at Pillsbury Mills payroll department for 3 years. Then she moved back to Browerville to be closer to Bud, the love of her life and became a bookkeeper at the Browerville Creamery. June 1st, 1953, she married Willard (Bud) Dreher and lived on a farm in Iona township. In 1959 they moved to the Dreher homestead farm in Hartford township where they raised their family and dairy farmed. 1985 they retired and built a home ½ mile west.

She enjoyed traveling to many different countries and all the states through the years with her family. She enjoyed reading, family get-togethers and of course going to the casinos. For many years she belonged to a whist card club with friends and neighbors.

Elsie is survived by her children, Gail (Wayne) Carstensen of Browerville, Gary Dreher of Long Prairie, Dean Dreher of Long Prairie, Neal(Gina) Dreher of Browerville; 15 grandchildren; and 31 great grandchildren.

 Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Katherine Opelia; husband, Willard (Bud) Dreher; infant son John; sons,  Alan, Mark Dreher; and all her siblings and spouses, Lucille Opelia, Tillie (Clayton)Vanderbosch, Ester (Carl) Gruidl, Larry(Beulah) Opelia, Bernie(Joe) Baker and Gladys(Gene) Egan.

Thanks to all family who helped at the end. A special thanks to Amanda who was her caregiver for the past 2 years. She loved her family so much and she will be missed.

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