Drusilla Edith Ness

Drusilla Edith Ness "went to be with Jesus forever" on October 29, 2017. She was born to Severin and Petra (Berge) Bortnem near Volga, South Dakota, on September 18, 1925. She graduated from Brookings High School in 1943 and married Laurelle Ness on September 8, 1946. They farmed and lived in the Brookings area for 60 years. They spent 15 winters in Mesa, Arizona. She and Laurelle moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1999.

Drusilla was employed as a secretary by South Dakota State University in the 4-H Department (1944-1946) and in the Dean of Arts and Science office (1964-1972). She enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, quilting, bowling and jigsaw puzzles. She wrote in her diary almost every day of her adult life.

Drusilla is survived by Laurelle, her husband of 71 years; two children, Cheryl Rakness of Fort Collins and Wayne Ness of Brookings; five grandsons and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fort Collins on Tuesday, November 7 at 2:00 PM. A memorial service and interment will be held in Brookings, South Dakota, at a later date yet to be determined.