Gwendolyn “Gwen” Draayer, 104, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, went to meet the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, with family at her side.

Gwen was born on May 17, 1914, in Rockwell, Iowa, the daughter of Heiko and Ella (Mein) Snater. She attended school in Rockwell prior to moving to Hollandale, Minnesota. On March 30, 1932, she was united in marriage to John Draayer in Hollandale. She was a member of the Hollandale Reformed Church.

Gwen was active in a variety of church activities, including Ladies Aid, Bible study, and volunteering in church quilting projects. She was a voracious reader and loved embroidery and swimnastics. She was feisty with a wonderful sense of humor. Gwen was very proud of her work at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, finishing her career as a nursing unit coordinator and retiring at the age of 75.

Gwen is survived by her daughters, Arlotte (Wes) DePoorter, Donna (Ron) Beeney, Joan (Bert) Johnson and Marjorie (Bob) Page; son, Richard (Bev) Draayer; grandchildren, Sandy (Art) Menning, Debra (Alan) Fransman, David (Brenda) DePoorter, Mark (Lori) Beeney, Steven Beeney, Scott Johnson, Sara (Mare) Miller, Matthew (Karin) Page, Kristen (Rod) McCormick, Timothy (Sharon) Draayer, Cheryl (Ron) Vis and Laura Schmitz; great-grandchildren, Mandy (Mark) Small, Chris (Erin) Fransman, Danielle Fransman, Ashley DePoorter, Nickolas and Nathaniel Beeney, Alex and Jackson Miller, Kuba and Lukes Page, Charlie and Parker McCormick, Abby, Braden, and Brynlee Vis, Brooklyn and Addison Schmitz; and great-great-grandchildren, Gracie, Ella, Irelynn, and Anna Small, Peyton, MaKenna, and Micah Fransman.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Heiko and Ella; husband, John; and siblings, Sara Clark, Lena Thompson, Ben Snater, Albert Snater, George Snater and Jasper Snater.

Deep appreciation to the staff and residents of Bancroft Creek Estates in Albert Lea who treated Gwen as family. Sincere thanks to St. Croix Hospice for their care.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at the Hollandale Reformed Church with the Rev. Neal Ooms officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Interment will be at Hollandale Cemetery. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com. Memorials are preferred to Hollandale Reformed Church, Hollandale Christian School, Bancroft Creek Estates, Good Samaritan Society or St. Croix Hospice.