Charles Droz

Charles Droz, 101, of Miller, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Miller, with Pastor Robert Brooks officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. Charles Clinton Droz was born on a farm in Hand County, SD, on July 8, 1924, to Leslie and Irene (Taylor) Droz. He attended a rural elementary school in Hand County, graduated from Miller High School in 1942, and later attended South Dakota State College in Brookings after his military service. In 1945, Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army Signal Corp. during World War II. He had a natural mechanical aptitude, which was evident when he scored a top result of 146 on his Army entrance test. That caused his Commanding Officer to call him in to ask, "How did you do that?" Droz was trained and sent to the Pacific Theatre as a telephone installer/repairman. Charles married Fern Elizabeth Matre on June 21, 1948, at Highmore, SD. Together, they operated a cattle ranch for twenty years and raised six children: Marilyn, Cathi, Eric, Kent, Marcia, and Janelle. Charles was a member and director of Hand County Livestock Improvement Association; a member and trustee of Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church; a 4-H leader of Ames Rustlers; and a member of Farmers Union and SD Stock Growers. Droz was elected to seven terms as State Representative. In 1963, he was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the House and became Speaker of the House in 1965 and 1966. He was Executive Director of The Federal Farm Programs in SD in 1969; after which he served as Northwestern US Director for ten years under Presidents Reagan and Bush, Sr. This involved the ten northwestern states, which he administered from Washington, DC. Charles chose retirement, and Fern joined him in their wintertime travels to every state in the US, except Hawaii. They settled for a second home in Mesa, AZ, and a summer home in Miller, SD, which they enjoyed for over twenty years. Droz was well known for his community service, his lifetime donation of eleven gallons of blood, and was involved in many local projects. He was selected in 1968 as "A Community Leader of America" and was also listed in "Who's Who" publications for Washington, DC, and South Dakota. Charles was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother, uncle, and neighbor to many. His primary sports were golf, pool, and bicycling. He made a hole-in-one at age 78. He continued playing 8-ball for the fellowship and challenged the game well into his nineties. At the age of 99, he won the SD State Pool Tournament in the 95 to 99 year old category. He is survived by his daughters: Cathi Droz of Golden Valley, MN, Marcia Droz of Mesa, AZ, and Janelle Droz of Boynton Beach, FL; his son, Kent Droz of Bellevue, WA; and his daughter-in-law, Shelley Droz of Edmonds, WA; eight grandchildren: Shelley Knippling, Jennifer (Craig) Doschadis, Chris Kolda, Derick Droz, Adrianna (David) Yi, Kirsten (Jeremy) Alm, Jamison Krier, and Brittany Taylor; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; his sisters, Darlene (Jesse) Hammer and Carolyn (Marvin) Diede; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends. Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Fern; his daughter, Marilyn Kolda; his son, Eric Droz; his parents, Les and Irene Droz; his brothers, Gordon (Elaine) Droz and Lowell (Donna) Droz; brother-in-law, Don (Delores) Matre; and nephews: Frank Droz, Tim Diede, and Ted Diede. Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Charles' arrangements.