Howard A. Draeger, 80, of Brownton passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at his home in Brownton. Funeral Service was Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton with interment in the church cemetery.
 Clergy Officiating: Reverend R. Allan Reed; Organist: Karen Buckentin; Soloist: Kristen Hansch “On Eagle’s Wings”; Congregational Hymns: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”; Casket Bearers: Boyd Draeger, Brock Draeger, Spencer Glaeser, Scott Finberg, Jacob Stifter, Andy Becker, Curt Wendland, Burt Draeger; Honorary Casket Bearers: Brittany Glaeser, Erika Ribar, Ashley Ribar, Madison Mueller, Allie Bauermeister, Bella Ann Glaeser
 Howard Arthur Draeger was born on March 31, 1945, in Glencoe. He was the son of Arthur and Elda (Ostermann) Draeger. Howard was baptized as an infant on April 8, 1945, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 17, 1959. He received his education in Brownton and was a graduate of Brownton High School, class of 1963.
 On June 12, 1965, Howard was united in marriage to Barbara Bauman at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton. This marriage was blessed with three children, Kimberly, Brian (Butch), and Brandon. Howard and Barbara resided in Sumter Township, rural Brownton. They shared 59 years of marriage.
 Howard was employed as a labeling supervisor for Seneca Foods in Glencoe. He retired in May 2008. Howard was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, serving as board trustee, financial secretary, and board of education. Howard was a volunteer for the Brownton Area Baseball/Softball and Brownton Baseball Association where he proudly maintained the fields.
 Howard enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, being the “Pontoon Captain”, and fishing trips to Canada. He especially enjoyed watching his family participate in sporting events, bonfires at their camper on Rice Lake, Monday breakfasts with his retired coworkers, and spending time with his family and friends.
 Blessed be his memory.
 Howard is survived by his wife, Barbara Draeger of Brownton; children, Kimberly Ribar and her husband Jeff of Brownton, Brian Draeger and his wife Kelli of Cokato, Brandon Draeger and his wife Carrie of Kimball; grandchildren, Brittany (Spencer) Glaeser, Boyd Draeger, Erika Ribar, Brock Draeger, Ashley Ribar, Madison Mueller; great-grandchildren, Bella Ann Glaeser; many other relatives and friends.
 Howard is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Elda Draeger; brothers, Lawrence Draeger, Raymond Draeger, Roger Draeger; sisters, Edna Wendland and Deloris Draeger.
 Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com.