Willis (Bill) Dropik

Willis ?Bill? John Dropik was born on May 24, 1938, on the family farm in Leaf Valley Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, to Anton and Ida (Swehla) Dropik. He attended Leaf Valley District 28 Country School and continued his education at Central School in Alexandria. He then went to work full time on the family farm. On January 8, 1958, Bill was united in marriage to Helen Shold. This union was blessed with eight children. They moved to the Twin Cities in 1958 and Bill started working at Sears. He continued his employment until 1961 when they moved back to Leaf Valley to help his Dad farm. In 1963, the couple moved to Nelson where they rented a farm and started farming on their own. In 1974, they purchased the current family farm where Bill has resided and farmed ever since. He was currently farming with his boys?Billie who has taken over the dairy operation and Tony and Greg with the grain farming. Bill enjoyed his occupation and served on many boards including: Nelson Creamery Association, First District Association, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Dairy Leaders Round Table, FHA, Lake Region Co-op, and the U.S. Bank. He was also involved with the Sheriff's Posse and the Nelson Men's Club. Bill was a self taught man and became a jack-of-all-trades. He was strong, well respected and taught his children the importance of hard work. Bill passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at his home at the age of 75. He is survived by his children, Jayne (Kenneth) Anderson of St. Peter, Anthony (Janet) Dropik of Nelson, Kathryne (Mark) Marquardt of Clarissa, Debra (Jimmy) Johnson of Litchfield, Gregory (Denise) Dropik of Carlos, Mary (fianc� Dennis Bombeck) of Alexandria, Nancy (Dennis) Frank of Wabasso, and Willis (Nancy Patrick) Dropik Jr. of Nelson; 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; Helen Dropik of Alexandria; siblings, Arlene Thoennes of New Brighton, Beverly Thoennes of Alexandria, Shirley (Henry) Kluver of Alexandria, Richard (Marlys) Dropik of Destrehan, Louisiana, Patty (Basil) Hartman of Vining, Diane Dropik of Mountain View, California, Dale (Joann) Dropik of Miltona, and Judy (Roman) Koep of Parkers Prairie; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Ida; and a sister, Elizabeth (Betsy) Yeutter. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Alexandria with Reverend Father Steve Binsfeld officiating. Entombment was held at St. Mary?s Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.