Gayle Ellen Draeger, age 87 of Osceola, Nebraska, passed away January 2, 2024 at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Brookestone Acres Chapel, 4715 38th Street, Columbus, with Pastor Keet Redden officiating. Inurnment will be in the Osceola Cemetery at a later date.

Gayle was born February 5, 1936 in Omaha to Leo Wesley and Mary Ellen (Justus) Cathroe. She attended school in Omaha and graduated from North High. She began working at National Biscuit Co. in Omaha and also the Omaha World Herald.

On July 2, 1955 she was united in marriage to Leon Otto Draeger in Omaha. To this union four children were born. The family moved to Osceola where Gayle worked as a dispatcher for the Sheriff’s Department.
She was a member of Jehovah Witness. She enjoyed art and painting.

Survivors include her husband Leon of Columbus; children Douglas Draeger of Osceola, Nedine Farnham of Columbus, Linda Pelan of Columbus and Dale Draeger of Osceola; 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and  2 great great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Mary Ellen; brother Blake Cathroe.

Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg has been entrusted with arrangements. Dubasfuneralhome.com