Margaret Drefke

McAllen - Margaret Ann Drefke was born May 31, 1926 in Lagro, Indiana to Herman L and Muriel Bruner Schmalzried. She died April 21, 2022 in McAllen, Texas. She was 95 years old. Her family moved to Mercedes, Texas in 1930 when her father became head coach at the High School. Her two brothers, John and Dick were football players, and she became the drum major for the band.

Ann married Wendell Drefke March 17, 1946 in Mercedes. Wendell was in the Air Force at Bergstrom Air Force Base near Austin and was then sent to Korea in 1953. By this time 3 boys had been born to the family, David, Arthur and Donald. Arthur did not survive but a few days. Daniel and Patricia came two and four years later.

Ann is survived by four children and their families. David (Loring Hicks) of McAllen and Kerrville has two children, Erika and James. Erika (Daniel) Shamsie of Sulphur Bluff, Texas and their children Hailey, Weston, Oakley and Wylie. James lives in McAllen.

Donald Drefke (Terri Johnson) of McAllen has two children, Heather of McAllen and Karl (Dr. Tara Wicker) have two boys, Dax and Decker and live in Fulshear, Texas.

Dr. Daniel Drefke (Tricia Smith) of Bandera has three children. Kaylee (Christopher) King and son Everett of Berea, KY. Matthew (Ashley) Drefke and children Hayden and Madison of Bandera, TX. Emily (Samuel) Hutchinson and children Hattie and Wendell of Rockport, TX.

Ann's daughter Patricia (Chris) Burns lives in Gruene, Texas.

In 1976 Ann and Wendell sold their grocery store businesses and moved to South Padre Island. They bought two 80 foot shrimp boats and a 35 foot charter boat. They loved to fish.

Ann was an expert mother. She was our Scout leader. She had three Eagle scout sons. She was our Sunday School teacher, fish-hook baiter, white wing hunter and expert bird watcher. She could cook the best venison steaks, shrimp, doves, pumpkin pie and yeast rolls. Ann was active in lots of nature and social organizations. She was Chairman of the Texas State PEO Convention at South Padre Island and was a PEO Golden Girl 50 year member.

Graveside services will be held at Roselawn Cemetery Thursday 12.00 noon, April 28th. Instead of flowers please donate to your favorite nature organization.