Charles R. Dreger

Charles “Chuck” Robert Dreger, 94, went to his heavenly home to be with his LORD and Savior on Tuesday, October, 17, 2023.  He was born to the late Fred and Angie Dreger in Menomonie, WI on May 27, 1929 and was baptized at St John’s Lutheran Church in Popple Creek, WI on July 7^th, 1929.  He grew up with his parents, one older brother and two older sisters.     

He graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1947 and then he attended Concordia College in St. Paul, MN where he enjoyed singing in the choir under Paul Manz.  After college, Charles enlisted into the Army (1951 – 1954) and was stationed at Fort Bliss, TX with the First United States Guided Missile Group.  While on leave, he met Faylene Joan Thorn in Eau Claire, WI.  They were married on March 28, 1953 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI.  They raised two sons, Scott and Steven.

During his lifetime, Chuck worked at Union National Bank in Eau Claire, WI  and then went to work for Northern States Power (NSP) Company in Eau Claire, WI where he was a Field Relay Technician before becoming a Systems Supervisor.  He retired from NSP after 32 ½ years of service.

He was very active at his church in Eau Claire where he served as Chairman, Vice Chairman and sang in the choir.  Also, he enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his sons.  The most recent highlight of his life was participating on Mission #35 of the Old Glory Honor Flight out of Appleton, WI with his son Scott as his guardian.  The family would like to thank this organization for all they do to provide this opportunity for him and so many other veterans.

Chuck will be remembered for his smile, great sense of humor and his love for food no matter how big or small.  He has always been a very strong Christian man and was an active member at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI since they moved to Appleton in 2010.  The love of God was most important in his life followed by his wife Faylene whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage with this year.

The family would like to thank the staff at Country Villa, St. Elizabeth Hospital and Heart and Vascular Institute for their dedicated care of Charles, giving him the best quality of life possible.

Survivors include: wife Faylene; son Scott (Susan) Dreger, Fond du Lac, WI; son Steven (Barbara) Dreger, Combined Locks, WI; sister Betty Lou Carlson, Stevensville, MT and a very special family friend Yuliya (Doug) Lange, sons Solomon and Elijah Lange, Durham, NC.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Angie Dreger, brother Gerald (Christie) Dreger, sister Arlene (Willis) Lorch and brother-in-law Larry Carlson.

The Christian Funeral Service for Chuck will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, located at 930 E. Florida Avenue in Appleton.  Rev. Robert Raasch will officiate and a private entombment will take place at Highland Memorial Park.  Visitation will take place at the church on Tuesday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

“I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”  (John 11:25-26)