Edward "Ed" Drietz

Edward Clemence Drietz was born on October 24, 1941 to Clemence and Rose (Lozinski) Drietz near Taunton, MN. At a young age, his family moved to a farm near Lake Benton, MN where he was raised and was baptized and confirmed at St Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton. He attended school at Country School District #17 and later received his GED. Ed worked for a neighbor, Jack Delaney. Later, he hauled milk for Clarkfield Creamery and entered the United States National Guard. Upon returning from military duties, he returned to the family farm and helped his parents and also raised feeder cattle and pigs. He then began working at Hub City in Brookings, SD and delivered the newspaper for Brookings Register. He moved to Volga, SD where he began his career as groundskeeper at Meadow Creek Golf Course. While in Volga, he purchased an apartment building and became landlord for five units there and also did snow removal for individuals around town. For approximately 30 years, he continued the job he loved, working at the golf course, until September 18, 2025, when he said to his family “I’m done driving”. Ed was diagnosed with cancer on September 24, 2025 and was admitted to Brookings Hospital and then on October 2, 2025 moved to Hendricks Hospice. He died there on his birthday, Friday, October 24, 2025 at the age of 84 years.

Ed was a member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton. He enjoyed shooting pool at Brick Manor and at the Lighthouse on Lake Shakotan. He was a member of Shakotan Sportmen’s Club and Pheasants Forever. He liked hunting and fishing. He was a handyman who fixed anything and everything. He had time for everyone and his nieces and nephews were his pride and joy.

He is survived by his siblings, Genevieve (Eric) Woratschka of Springfield, IL, Leonard (Pat) Drietz of Coon Rapids, MN, Catherine Reese of Tyler, MN, Donald (Helen) Drietz of Lake Benton, MN and Mary Sherrill of Garden Grove, CA; sister-in-law, Barb Drietz of Laramie, WY; brother-in-law, Randy Meyer of Brookings, SD; many nieces and nephews of whom he had a special connection with each and every one; and many, many great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Vernon; brother, Florian Drietz; two sisters, Elizabeth Meyer and Patricia Drietz; and nephew, Steven Drietz.