August Draeb

Funeral services for August (Gus) Draeb, age 88, of Surprise, AZ and formerly of Hebron, ND, will be held later this spring. In following his wishes, cremation has taken place. Gus passed away Thursday, January 28, 2016 at The Garden of Sun City, Sun City, AZ. Gus passed away of acute renal failure shortly after discovering he had multiple myeloma. Gus was born at the Bismarck Hospital February 8, 1927, the son of August E. Draeb and Irma Weigel Draeb. He graduated from Hebron High School and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor’s degree majoring in history. He went on to finish Law School with Bachelor of Law and Juris Doctor degrees. Shortly after being admitted to practice, he was drafted into the Army on September 5, 1951. After completing Basic Training and Leadership School, he applied for and received a direct commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General Corps and was assigned to the 373rd Transportation Major Port based in Newfoundland with sub-ports in Labrador and Greenland, where he served until he was honorably discharged April 30, 1954. Upon return from the Army, he joined the Draeb and Krauth Law Office in Hebron and over the next forty-five years was actively engaged in the practice of law either as a partner or a sole practitioner until he sold his practice to Scott Solem of Beulah in 1999. Gus was one of the first ND lawyers to be elected a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and was also an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He derived a great sense of satisfaction in seeing his estate plans working out many years after they had been written and enjoyed working in a community where he considered his clients to also be his friends. Gus enjoyed working with organizations and serving on boards. He was one of the original founders and a 35 year member of the Morton County Housing Authority; was appointed to the ND Credit Union Board by Governor Allen Olson; served as Hebron City Attorney for 45 years; and was a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Glen Ullin and the Union Bank of Halliday. He served two terms on the Hebron School Board and for many years as a member of the Board of Trustees of MedCenter One in Bismarck. His principle passion was the American Legion serving as Post Commander, Post Adjutant for many years, ND Department Commander, ND Department Judge Advocate for 20 years, ND Trustee of the Legionnaire Insurance Trust for 20 years, the National Convention Commission for nine years and various other National committees and commissions during which he participated in National Security tours of NATO bases in Europe and SEATO bases in the Far East. He also was a Past President and life member of the Hebron Lions Club and a life member of the Dickinson Elks. He was a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ and was a dedicated and active member of Desert Palms Presbyterian Church in Sun City West. During his earlier years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, and bowling. He grew up playing cards and loved to play pinochle with his children and grandchildren. He also had a life- long love affair with books. The Internet became an important part of his life when it came on the market. In later years, he got involved with his wife, Dee’s travel business, whereby they visited all of the states and spent time in more than sixty countries. Gus and Verda Leutz of Hebron were married July13th, 1958. He married Dolores “Dee” (Fehr) Colton on November 24, 1978. He is survived by his children, Mark (Laurie) Draeb, Hebron, ND; Melanie (Paul) Mack, Centennial, CO; and Jon (Michelle) Draeb, Lakewood, CO; his grandchildren, Parker Mack, Tianna Mack, Jack Draeb, and Julia Draeb; his step-sons, Steve (Arlene) Colton, Tim (Janet) Colton, his step-grandchildren, Lara (Chad) Kramer, Kimberly Pinder, Greg Colton, and Christopher Colton; his step-great-grandchildren, Colton and Kenzie Kramer, his former wife, Verda Leutz Draeb, and his dear friend and companion, Joanie Waterman. Preceding him in death are his wife, Dolores; his parents; and his sister, Helen Weyrens. Joint committal services for Gus and Dee will take place at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery at Mandan, ND in the summer. The date of this service is to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts be made to the Building Fund of St. John UCC Church, P. O. Box 70, Hebron, ND 58638; Deacon’s Fund of Desert Palms Presbyterian Church, 13459 W. Stardust Blvd. , Sun City West, AZ 85375 or to American Legion, Henry Biffart, ND Post 100, PO Box 100, Hebron, ND 58638


Burial Date: February 4, 2016