Eugene "Gene" Joel Dragt

Eugene “Gene” Joel Dragt, age 72, of Danube, passed away Sunday, May 3, at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 8, at Roseland Reformed Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, at Roseland Reformed Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with the Tri-County Funeral Home in Prinsburg. www.tricountyfuneral.com

Eugene “Gene” Joel Dragt was born on May 13, 1953, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Harvey and Henrietta (Damhof) Dragt. He grew up on a farm near Roseland and graduated from Danube High School in 1972. He began working in construction for Jerome Roelofs shortly after high school. After a few short years, Gene and his brother Gary entered a partnership in the dairy business and formed Dragt Dairy.

On April 21, 1979, Gene was united in marriage to Sheila Bernstrom. They made their home on a farm near Roseland and later moved to a farm site near Renville. He retired from the farm in 2006. In 2006, he became a security officer for Southeran Minnesota Sugar Beet Co-Op. He also worked at Hawk Creek Golf Course in Raymond, at Erickson Plumbing and Heating in Blomkest and was most recently employed at Broadland Creek Golf Course in Huron, South Dakota.

In 2021, Gene and Sheila moved to Danube and were set to retire there. In December of 2025, Gene was diagnosed with HLH and fought a courageous battle until the end.

Gene was a member and past deacon of Roseland Reformed Church. He volunteered for over 27 years with the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Posse & Rescue. Gene enjoyed being outdoors, and especially loved playing golf, hunting, and being with his grandchildren. He so very much loved his family, children, and grandchildren, and would spend any spare minute with them.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sheila of Danube; two sons, Benjamin Dragt (and significant other, Lara Holt) of Huron, SD., and Anthony (and Tiffany) Dragt of Renville; and seven grandchildren, Kierra (and Mark) Navurskis, Conner Dragt, Courtney Dragt, Kayden Dragt, Blake Dragt, Leila Dragt and Luke Dragt. Also surviving are three siblings, Wanda (and Dennis) Korthals of Iowa, Gary (and Jeannie) Dragt of Spicer and Robin (and Jeff) Slagter of Raymond, besides other relatives, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Larry in infancy.

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