Royal "Ed" Draper

Royal Edward Draper, Jr., one of six children of Ada Mae (Morrison) and Royal Edward Draper, Sr., was born on July 8, 1937, in Ceresco, Nebraska. He grew up in Valparaiso, Nebraska and graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1954. Ed enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1960. In 1961, he began work for the Burlington Northern Railroad in Pacific Junction, Iowa and worked as a refrigeration mechanic for 16 years. Ed became employed as an electrician at the Glenwood Resource Center and worked there for 25 years until his retirement in 2002.

Ed and Joyce Elaine Huisenga were married on September 16, 1961 in Glenwood, Iowa. They made their home in Glenwood and their marriage was blessed with two children, Terri and Richard Dean.

Ed was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Glenwood, a member of the Eagles, and was very active with the Glenwood Senior Center. He enjoyed reading and fishing. Ed enjoyed woodworking and liked building birdhouses and walking sticks. He also loved to play cribbage. Ed enjoyed activities with his grandchildren and loved spoiling them; his wallet was always wide open for them.

Ed and Joyce were married 50 years when Ed passed away at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 2, 2012, at the age of 74 years, 7 months, and 23 days. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife Joyce Draper of Glenwood; daughter Terri Smith and husband Dale of Pacific Junction; son Richard Dean Draper and wife Brenda of Glenwood; grandchildren Joe and Jesse Smith, and Elizabeth and Emily Draper; brothers, Kenny Draper and wife Pat of Valparaiso, NE, Richard A. Draper and wife Susan of Lincoln, NE, and Stanley Draper and wife Sally of Hickman, NE; sisters, Marilyn Hodgeman and husband Walt of Fredley, MN, and Beverly Congel and husband George of Liverpool, NY; other relatives; and a host of friends.

A memorial fund has been established.