Drusilla Edith Ness died Friday, Oct. 29, 2017.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 337 Eighth St., Brookings, with interment and lunch following. Memorial visitation is from 10 a.m, until the time of services at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church in Brookings.
She was born to Severin and Petra (Berge) Bortnem near Volga on Sept. 18, 1925. She was baptized and confirmed at Lake Campbell Lutheran Church near Volga. She graduated from Brookings High School in 1943 and married Laurelle Ness on Sept. 8, 1946. They farmed and lived in the Brookings area for 60 years. They spent 15 winters in Mesa, Arizona. She and Laurelle moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, in 1999.
Drusilla was employed as a secretary by South Dakota State University in the 4-H Department (1944-1946) and in the Dean of Arts and Science office (1964-1972). She enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, quilting, bowling and jigsaw puzzles. She wrote in her diary almost every day of her adult life.
Drusilla is survived by Laurelle, her husband of 71 years; two children, Cheryl Rakness of Fort Collins and Wayne Ness of Brookings; five grandsons and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and one great-grandchild.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
