1936 - 2004
Thomas
(Tom) Cope Dreher born September 23, 1936, passed away peacefully in
Boundary Trails Hospital on June 29, 2004. He was the son of Harry and
Norval Dreher who have predeceased him. He leaves to mourn his wife, Marlyn
(Coutts) Dreher of Morden, his daughters and their families: Patricia and
Dan Yaung, Erin, Ella and Anna of Denver, Colorado; Lisa and Kevin Krueger,
Lynsay and Brett of Morden; his son Edward (Ted) Dreher of Darlingford; and
his sister Tanis Dreher of Winnipeg.
Tom was born and raised in Portage la Prairie. He started his career with MTS in 1956 working in various locales in Central Manitoba. He met Marlyn Coutts in Portage and in 1961 they married and moved to Neepawa where their first daughter, Patricia, was born. In October, 1963 the family was transferred to Morden and 2 more children were born: daughter Lisa and son Ted. During his younger years in Morden, Tom began his community service and volunteer work that he enjoyed and continued until the end. He was a member of the BPOE, Morden #478 and was Past Exalted Ruler from 1972-73. He was an active member of the Masons, Morden Lodge #13 and Shiloh Lodge #70 of Roland and was Past Worthy Master of Morden in 1973. He joined the Eureka Chapter #15 of Pilot Mound and the Brandon Preceptory #74 before joining the Khartum Shriners of Winnipeg and the Pembina Valley Shriners. He was an Auxilliary member of the Morden Royal Canadian Legion #11 and a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He volunteered to work Bingo at the Morden Legion and the Morden Friendship Center.
Tom will be missed by his family, friends and neighbours for his cheery disposition, his friendly wave and his upbeat nature. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 5 at St. Paul's United Church at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of their choice.
Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden in care of arrangements.