Avis Elizabeth (Olson) Dragstra

Avis E. Dragstra, 53, of Chandler, MN died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011 at the Sanford-Sioux Valley Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the Chandler Funeral Chapel and continuing one-hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be at the Chandler Memorial Cemetery, with a luncheon served immediately following with a lunch at the church. The Chandler Funeral Association is handling the arrangements.

Avis Elizabeth Dragstra was born January 17, 1958 to Alvin and Elizabeth (Johnson) Olson in Luverne, MN, Rock County. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and grew up on a farm outside of Luverne. She attended Luverne Public Schools, graduating from Luverne High School in 1977. She then attended Pipestone Vocational School, in Pipestone, MN for Mercantile Management.

On April 7, 1978, Avis married Warren Dragstra in the Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. They made their home in Luverne, then Edgerton, MN for a short time, before moving to Chandler in 1979. Over the years, Avis worked for Glen’s Food Center in Luverne, Huisken Meat Center in Chandler and currently was working for Ben & Grant Post Dairies, the Assisted Living in Edgerton, and cleaned homes for several residents in the area. She was a member of the Chandler Christian Reformed Church where she had taught Sunday School, a member of the Prairie Riders Saddle Club of Pipestone and the American Trail Horse Competition Association. Avis enjoyed all animals, especially horses; she will always be remembered for her willingness to rescue animals. She also enjoyed trail riding, camping, and going the extra mile for her family and friends. As a loving wife and mother, her greatest joy was spoiling her family, from its oldest members to its additions. Avis made everyone feel special.

On Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, Avis died surrounded by her loving family, at the Sanford-Sioux Valley Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 53. Avis is lovingly remembered by her husband, Warren Dragstra, of Chandler, MN; her mother, Betty Olson, of Luverne, MN; two daughters, Susan (Kent) Sime of Milbank, SD and Heather (significant other, Israel Zinns) Dragstra of St. Paul, MN; one son, Joshua Dragstra of Humboldt, SD; two grandchildren, Cailey and Brock Sime; one brother, Arvin (Carol) Olson, of New Prague, MN; one sister, Mavis (Bryan) Fodness of Hardwick, MN; father and mother-in-law, Joe and Jennie Dragstra of Edgerton, MN; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Brad) Hulstein of Edgerton, MN and Jenean (Gary) Knutson, of Brookings, SD; three brothers-in-law, Harv (Lori) Dragstra and Harlan (Lesli) Dragstra, both of Edgerton, MN and Dennis Dragstra, of St. Louis, MO; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Her father, Alvin Olson preceded her in death.