Everett Eugene Drevs, the son of Christian and Beulah (Harms) Drevs, was born on November 2, 1932, in Moville, IA. He died on January 2, 2024, at his home in Estherville at the age of 91 years.
Ev graduated from Moville High School before attending Iowa State University for his bachelor’s degree. While teaching in Whiting, IA, he attended the University of South Dakota to earn his master’s degree in education. Then moved to Dayton, IA to teach. He later taught at the Estherville Junior College, now known as Iowa Lakes Community College, for 34 years, retiring in 1994.
He enlisted in the United States Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1956. Four years later, he married Thaeron “Teddy” Doolittle on June 11, 1960 in Minneapolis, MN and to this union, four daughters were born, Cynthia, Nancy, Merriel and Julie. In 1966 the couple moved to Estherville, IA where they raised their family and lived out the remainder of their years.
Ev was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder. He was also active in the Estherville Bustle Rustler’s Square Dance Club, NEA and ISEA, and volunteered for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.
In his retirement years, Everett loved going to the RWC to get his morning walk in, although we believe he did more talking than walking. He also couldn’t start his day out properly without tackling the SUDOKU in the morning paper. He would often spend his afternoons and evenings quilting away or piecing together Hospice Quilts or Quilts of Valor. He especially liked attending Quilt Guild meetings and was excited to be invited to their most recent Christmas Party to share a quilt pattern he had designed. You would often catch him listening to his favorite baseball games as he quilted. He even had the opportunity to go to a few games at Target Field to cheer on the Twins! Ev enjoyed spending time with his family and especially loved having everyone home during the holidays for family meals and numerous games of Racko. His children and grandchildren have to admit that he did win that last game of Racko fair and square!
Ev is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Drevs of Marshall, MN, Nancy Drevs of Spirit Lake, IA, Merriel Drevs (Dean Ward) of San Antonio, TX, and Julie (Loren) Bates of Estherville, IA; two grandchildren: Lee (Amber) Bates of Estherville, IA and Rachel Bates (Will Black) of Irvine, CA: sister, Myrtis Kuhlman of Marshalltown, IA; sister-in-law, Beverly Drevs of Kanawha, IA; and close family friend, Trisha Adams of State Center.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Thaeron “Teddy” Drevs, and brothers, Wilbur, Kenneth, Robert and Howard.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Estherville. Visitation was held Sunday at the Henry-Olson Funeral Home in Estherville.
Ev was buried at East Side Memorial Cemetery in Estherville.
Online condolences may be offered at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
