Ethel Marie Daiker Drees, 89, of Adams, Minn., passed away on Dec. 8, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems — Austin. She was a cancer survivor and approached life with youthful enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

Ethel was born on Dec. 1, 1924, to John A. and Caroline M. (Thelen) Daiker near Glidden, Iowa, on her family farm. Ethel married Ralph Henry Drees on Jan. 5, 1942, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Auburn, Iowa. They moved from Lidderdale, Iowa, to Taopi, Minn., in 1954, where they farmed together until retiring and moving into Adams, Minn. in 1989. Ethel and Ralph enjoyed 67 years of marriage together before Ralph’s death on Aug. 1, 2009.

Ethel was a devoted mother of 12 children. She will always be remembered for her love of family and babies, tending garden and flowers, playing card games, her beautiful crochet work, strong faith and devoted prayer, and her undeniable love of her husband and her Lord Jesus Christ. She provided a beautiful example for all to emulate as a wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend. Her legacy includes 53 grandchildren, 100 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, her parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Rose Drees, son, Allen Drees, in 1985, granddaughters; Mary Ann Sanford, in 1966, Suzanne Drees, in 1977, and grandson, Jamie Ott, in 1994; son-in-law, Wally Sanford, in 2006; brothers, John B. Daiker, Leroy Daiker, Leonard Daiker, Ivan Daiker, Warren J. Daiker; sisters, Mable Schug, Drusilla Abney; infant sister, Ila Mae Daiker.

Ethel is survived by her children: Rosann Sanford, of Spring Valley, Minn.; Ralph (Janice) Drees, of Spring Valley; Stephen (Nancy) Drees, of Austin; Mary (Jerry) Ott, of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; Anna (Gene) Wilder, of LeRoy, Minn.; John (Candy) Drees, of Austin; Dale (Robin) Drees, of Appleton, Wis.; Dan (Carol) Drees, of Taopi, Minn.; Neil (Peggy) Drees, of Austin; Arlo (Beth) Drees, of Austin; Brian (Kelly) Drees, of Mason City, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Ella Dodge, of Woodbury, Minn.; 50 grandchildren; 100 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; brother: Cornelius (Glenna) Daiker, of Auburn, Iowa; sisters Colletta Mohr, of Fonda, Iowa, Marietta Sammons, of Lidderdale, Iowa.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams, Minn., with Father Swaminatha (Swamy) Pothireddy officiating followed by a luncheon. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Adams. There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Adams Funeral Home where friends may greet the family from 4 to 8 p.m., and there will be a visitation at the church for one hour before the service on Friday.