Obituary of Sarah Jean Drescher

Sarah Jean Drescher, 92, of Great Bend, KS passed away February 16, 2017. Sarah Jean Santee was born Aug 24, 1924, growing up as the youngest of three children to Leonard and Viola (Campbell) Santee in Oklahoma CIty. Sarah was enamored of her mischievous older brother, Jimmy, and in competition with her talented older sister, Joann. Her father coached both girls in diving and they competed in numerous diving competitions usually placing first and second. She always had good stories to tell about her childhood. Who can forget her animal stories, especially the one about her alligator pet. She met Larry Drescher at a USO activity in Oklahoma City, and they were married on Aug 19, 1943. Then they moved to Oregon where Anne was born, then to Stillwater, OK where Mary and Jim were born, then moved to Great Bend, KS where they made their home. Within a few years, Larry and Sarah built a successful wholesale flower business, added a garden shop and then a flower shop. But the Garden Center wasn’t the only thing growing! The Drescher family grew as well, bringing the total to 9 children, adding John, Joe, Charles, Sally, Philip and Kevin. Sarah kept busy maintaining the household and helping at the Greenhouse when she could. During these years she was also active in 4H adult leadership. She was an accomplished seamstress sewing many of the girls outfits and eventually Anne’s wedding dress. She cooked excellent meals, including oven dinners which we now know as crockpot meals. She was devoted to her family and made sure that each child made it to and from their various activities. We were treated as individuals and all have favorite memories and stories from those times. After her children left home, she enjoyed traveling overseas, gambling at casinos, quilting, collecting and Sunday night “Domino Girls” get togethers. She worked at Walmart for many years and was very proud of a certificate she was awarded for outstanding service, signed by Sam Walton. Her grandchildren were very special to her. Her refrigerator was always covered with their photographs and newspaper clippings highlighting their accomplishments. She was proud of her attendance at all of Bryan Drescher’s baseball games. She attended as many performances, games and activities as she could fit into her busy schedule. Her pride in her grandchildren soon gave way to pride in great grandchildren as her family continued to grow. At Cherry Village in Great Bend, she was known for her picture wall gallery. She later moved to Kansas Christian Home where she was known for her sense of humor, friendships, love of chocolate and her “professional falls. She was loved by many, and made a difference in the lives of those she touched, especially her family. She will be missed. She was preceded in death by her husband, brother, James Santee, and sister, Rhea Joan Cruce. Sarah is survived by her children: daughter Ann and Roy Messmore, and their children: Laura, David and Mark, daughter Mary Upton and her children: Megan, James, and Jeffrey, son Jim and Linda Drescher, son John and Ruth Ann Drescher and their children: Julie, Tara, and Tamara, son Joe and Glennda Drescher and their children: Ashley and Lindsey, son Charles Drescher, daughter Sarah “Sally” Drescher and her children: Santee, Scott, and Sam, son Phillip and Carla Drescher and their children: Lindsey and Bryan, son Kevin Drescher and his children, Forrest, Brooke, and Nathaniel, many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and niece, Barb (Santee) and Jim Chandler. Visitation will be Monday, February 20, at 6:30pm with a Rosary following at 7:00pm at Prince of Peace at St. Rose Catholic Church, 1424 Baker Ave. Great Bend, KS 67530. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, February 21, at 10:30am at Prince of Peace at St. Rose Catholic Church with burial following at Golden Belt Cemetery in Great Bend. Memorials may be designated for The Blue Door Project in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington, PO Box 386, Lindsborg, KS 67456. Online condolences at www.ChristiansFuneralHome.com