A celebration of life service for Gwendolyn “Gwen” Draayer, 104, of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hollandale Reformed Church. The Rev. Neal Ooms will officiate. Interment will be at Hollandale Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Gwen went to meet the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, with family at her side. Gwen was born May 17, 1914, in Rockwell, Iowa, the daughter of Heiko and Ella (Mein) Snater. She attended school in Rockwell prior to moving to Hollandale.

On March 30, 1932, she was united in marriage to John Draayer in Hollandale. She was a member of Hollandale Reformed Church. Gwen was active in a variety of church activities including ladies aid, Bible study and volunteered in church quilting projects. She was a voracious reader and loved embroidery and swimnastics. She was feisty with a wonderful sense of humor. Gwen was very proud of her work at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, finishing her career as a nursing unit coordinator and retiring at the age of 75.

Gwen is survived by her daughters Arlotte (Wes) DePoorter, Donna (Ron) Beeney, Joan (Bert) Johnson and Marjorie (Bob) Page; son, Richard (Bev) Draayer; grandchildren Sandy (Art) Menning, Debra (Alan) Fransman, David (Brenda) DePoorter, Mark (Lori) Beeney, Steven Beeney, Scott Johnson, Sara (Mare) Miller, Matthew (Karin) Page, Kristen (Rod) McCormick, Timothy (Sharon) Draayer, Cheryl (Ron) Vis and Laura Schmitz; great-grandchildren Mandy (Mark) Small, Chris (Erin) Fransman, Danielle Fransman, Ashley DePoorter, Nickolas and Nathaniel Beeney, Alex and Jackson Miller, Kuba and Lukes Page, Charlie and Parker McCormick, Abby, Braden and Brynlee Vis, and Brooklyn and Addison Schmitz; and great-great-grandchildren Gracie, Ella, Irelynn and Anna Small, and Peyton, MaKenna and Micah Fransman.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents Heiko and Ella; husband, John; siblings Sara Clark, Lena Thompson, Ben Snater, Albert Snater, George Snater and Jasper Snater.

Deep appreciation to the staff and residents of Bancroft Creek Estates in Albert Lea, who treated Gwen as family. Sincere thanks to St. Croix Hospice for their care.

Memorials are preferred to Hollandale Reformed Church, Hollandale Christian School, Bancroft Creek Estates, Good Samaritan Society or St. Croix Hospice.