John Almer "Jack" Dreher

On Thursday, May 8th 2025, a good man passed away peacefully, after taking one last ride on his side by side. As always, Jack Dreher had his constant passenger, Brandy, by his side.
John (Jack) Dreher was born on May 7th, 1953 in Bemidji Minnesota.
He is preceded in death by his parents Clent and Ruth Dreher and sister Janet Dreher.
Jack is also preceded in death by his in-laws Raymond and Joan Rankin and John Rankin.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jennifer, and devoted children Andrew (Shana) Dreher, James (Carmelle) Dreher, Mary (Andy) Jenkins and Laura (Steve Beauchene) Dreher. He leaves behind his much loved grandchildren, Riley, Andrew, Abby, Jack and Reed.
Also surviving Jack are his siblings Rick (Linda) Dreher, Ken (Deborah) Dreher, Julie (Scott) Sorensen, Pat (Kristine) Dreher as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and countless friends whose lives were touched by Jack.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday May 20th at the Church of St. Patrick's in Kelliher with visitation 1 hour prior to the service.
Jack was born on May 7th, 1953 to Clent and Ruth Dreher in Bemidji Minnesota. Shortly after, Clent, Ruth and Jack (as well as brothers Rick and Ken) took up residency on the Dreher farm with Jack's grandparents, John and Victoria Dreher. Jack was sent out to help with the farm tasks at an age younger than his brothers because he refused to help his mother and Julie do the dinner dishes. Young Jack moped and stomped around long enough for his mother to send him outside to work with his father and brothers in the barn. Once released from kitchen work, Jack was a true farm boy. Soon, the family farm of 420 acres (up to 80 dairy and 30 beef cows) became his lifelong domain. He was often seen around the farm with a slingshot around his neck trying to wipe out the nuisance bird population.
Jack attended grade school in Mizpah and grades 7-12 in the old Northome school. Jack's academic career was summarized by the phrase, "He didn't apply himself as much as he could". Rather than school work, Jack's immediate thoughts were to hang around with his close friends Max, Wayne, Bill, Gerald and (his best friend) Joe. Such close friends, Gerald and Joe would grow up to participate as groom's men in Jack's wedding many years later. Jack excelled at sports and spent many winter days practicing hockey on the rink in his back yard. In addition to sports and farm work, Jack was kept busy hunting, fishing, trapping, logging, snow snowmobiling and with dance lessons provided to him by his mother Ruth, up in the hay mount. These lessons would come in handy when going out dancing to the PineGrove on Saturdays. These lessons would come in handy when he met his future wife (Jennifer) at one of those dances. Jennifer was a good friend of Jack's sister Julie (from nursing school). We are told that sparks flew almost immediately, after Jen first danced with a number of Jack's friends. Jack was married to Jennifer Rankin on September 18, 1976 after which, Jennifer joined the Dreher family and farm.
They had 4 children who were introduced to farming from a young age. Jack took very seriously his responsibility to maintain the legacy of the Dreher farm into future generations. Jack always put his family first, never missing a concert, pageant, sporting event or celebration. Jack took an active role in his children's education and was elected to the Northome school board. Jack has spent much time with his children and grandchildren doing all of the things that he loved (hunting, camping, fishing, playing hockey, etc,). Jack's pride in his children and grandchildren was always obvious. He loved activities with them such as making sourdough pancakes when the kids spent the weekend. Jack was so determined to attend his granddaughter Riley's collage graduation on May 17th. Jack's body couldn't make the trip but his spirit soared when he heard Riley's name called.
Jack especially loved deer hunting. On his first hunting outing with his grandson Andrew, he shared important tips such as "If one comes out, shoot it". This sage advice has been important to Andrew and he will surely pass it on to future generations. Jack was in the hospital during a lot of the 2024 hunting season but was able to directed all aspects (via cellphone) from his ICU bed. A very special interest of Jack's was sausage making. So much so that his recovery is credited to his frustration caused by those at home mismanaging the spice levels while making said sausage. He also successfully directed the pig processing to Scott and Dave (both non pig processing experts) from his sick bed in Bemidji. Another special interest of his was blueberry picking. Jack and his sister Julie were tenacious in their pursuit of this elusive fruit. Jack and Julie also spent much time discussing the soil suitability needed to grow the best blueberries. Discussions about manure and compost would occupy much of the siblings blueberry conversations. Both Jack and Julie were dedicated to announcing (to each other) who's bird feeder saw the first Orioles or hummingbirds of the season. Photographic evidence was always provided.
All our lives have been enriched by knowing and loving Jack Dreher. He will be greatly missed.