Gorham, Kansas – Alex D. Dreher, age 90, died Thursday, July 16, 2015, at the Russell Regional Hospital Russell, Kansas. He was born December 26,1924, near Hyacinth, Kansas, to Alexander and Rosa (Befort) Dreher. He married Anna B. (Graf) on November 19, 1945, in Hyacinth, Kansas. She died September 5, 2013.
After they married, they lived north of Hays before moving to the Bemis Ranch on the Saline River where Alex worked. That’s where he experienced his first plane ride checking cattle. They moved to Hays for a short time later before moving to Gorham where they resided from 1953 to 2014. Alex then moved to Vintage Place, an assisted living facility in Russell, to spend the remaining years of his life.
He worked for Julian Oil and Royalty when he began his career in the oil fields. This company became Jones-Shelburne-Farmer, and then John O. Farmer, Inc. Alex retired in 1987 after working 34 years for the Farmer family. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus both of Gorham.
After retirement, he began woodworking projects in his shop. He drew plans and built 25 Grandfather’s clocks, also roll-top desks, chairs, tables, headboards, bookcases and many other types of clocks. Alex is known for his unconditional love, which was reflected in his “Heart” clocks, being one of his favorite projects. He enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include three sons, Dean Dreher and wife, Agnes, Amarillo, TX; Dale Dreher and wife, Carolyn, Wichita Falls, TX; Val Dreher and wife, Melissa, Russell, KS; three daughters, Diane Dinkel and husband, Ron, Victoria, KS; Laura Boxberger and husband Tim, Great Bend, KS; Wanda Hanzlicek, and husband Todd, Wilson KS; 21 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one son, Don Dreher; one daughter, Cindy Soukup; four great-grandchildren, Shelbie Alvis; Dakota, Hunter and Landon Marek; three brothers, Philip, Isadore and Joe Dreher; four sisters, Isabella Honas, Louise Krajewski, Marty Schmidtberger, and Berty Urban.
Services are at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 20, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gorham, Kansas. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gorham, Kansas.
A Gorham Knights of Columbus rosary is at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, both at Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67601.
Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday at Cline’s Mortuary in Victoria, and from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Church, Gorham, Kansas.
Memorials to St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund, Gorham, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via email to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net.