Douglas P. Drew • 1920 - 2005

Douglas P. Drew, 84, Bowbells, died Tuesday, May 3, 2005, in his home.

Doug was born on July 27, 1920, in Bowbells, the son of Mortimer and Sarah (McLlellan) Drew. He was reared and educated in Bowbells and graduated from Bowbells High School. Doug attended Minot State Teacher's College for two years with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Social Science where he was all conference in football.

On June 22, 1941, he entered the Armed Forces and was inducted into the Army at Fort Snelling, MN. He was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division at Camp Polk, LA, where after Basic Training he was transferred to the 7th Armored Division as a Drill Sergeant and Instructor training new recruits. In August of 1942, he was transferred to the Transportation Corp and was shipped overseas in October of 1942, where he served in the North African, Rome, Arno, and North Apennines Campaigns in Italy. When the war ended, having served three years overseas and over four years in the Armed Services, he was shipped home to the United States and Honorably Discharged as a Staff Sergeant on August 29, 1945. After his discharge, Doug coached football, basketball, track and taught at the Bowbells School for one year. Together with his sister, Margaret, Doug also co-owned the Drew's Café.

After one year of teaching Doug went back to Minot State for one year and was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, where he played as a Linebacker for two years.

In the fall of 1948, Doug went to work for the Great Plains Supply Company, as a YardMan. He was later promoted to Assistant Manager of the Kenmare Store where he worked until 1951, when he was promoted to Manager of the Ryder store. Doug was later promoted to Division Manager in the Williston Division overseeing the operations in Montana and Western North Dakota.

Doug married Roberta Elstad in 1973. After 30 years of service Doug retired from Great Plains Supply in 1985. After his retirement he worked part time in real estate and the oil leasing business. Doug was once married to Mildred Underdahl Campbell. The couple had one daughter together, Kathy.

He was a member of United Methodist Church, Bowbells, Bowbells Development Corporation, the Bowbells Senior Citizens Center, Bowbells American Legion, and the Veteran of Foreign Wars.

Survivors: Wife, Roberta "Bobbi", Bowbells; daughter, Kathy (Dirk) Okland, Fargo, ND; step-son, Bruce (Linda) Campbell, Polson, MT; step-daughter, Janet Campbell, Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren, Drew and Elliot Okland, Laura (Jim) Burrows, John (Cheri) Campbell, Jennifer (Chuck) Salois, Jed Schnieder and his fiance, Theresa Thom, and Jocelyn Schneider; great-grandchildren, Brianne, Mara, Kaitlyn, Michael, Amanda, Alex, and Josie; sisters, Margaret Lane and Irene Elliot both Hemet, CA; several cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Vern Drew and sister Vera Eckert.

Funeral: Saturday, May 7, 2005, at 11 a.m., at United Methodist Church, Bowbells, ND.

Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial: Bowbells Cemetery, Bowbells, ND.

Officiant: Pastor David Birkeland

Music: Processional hymn, "On Eagles Wings"
Special selection by, Muriel Johnson
Peggy Anderson, soloist & Deb Melby, accompanist to offer
"Wind Beneath My Wings" & "Impossible Dream"
Recessional hymn, "Children of The Heavenly Father"
Mary Lynn Jensen, organist

Honorary Bearers: Doug's fellow comrades in arms

Active Bearers: Mike Herman, Mark Peterson, Bruce Anderson, John Seime, Jeff Johnson
David Elstad, Allen Ryberg, Greg Mertes

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