Robert F. Draper

Robert Floyd Draper, age 74 of Tracy, passed away Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 21, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 20 at Tracy Area Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. Interment will be in the New Woodlawn Cemetery in Pipestone.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Robert Floyd Draper was born May 21, 1949 to Floyd and Viola (Wills) Draper in Pipestone, Minnesota. He grew up on the Draper family farm near Ward, SD. He graduated from Verdi High School and continued his education at Pipestone VoTech. On June 6, 1970, Robert married Diane Kellen at St. Martin Catholic Church in Woodstock. The couple lived in Ward, SD from 1970-1975, then at the Draper family farm from 1975-1987, where Robert farmed for 15 years. In 1987, they moved to Tracy, MN where they have resided ever since. There Robert worked for MnDOT for 21 years, until he retired. Robert was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Eagles Club in Tracy. He enjoyed fishing, shooting pool and grilling. Robert loved raising horses and was a Vikings and Twins fan.

Robert is survived by his wife Diane Draper of Tracy; daughter: Laura (Greg) Giebler of Estherville, IA; grandchildren: Jeannine (Kelly) Cook and Brianna Fix; great grandchildren: Koe & Sloane Cook; siblings: Charles Draper of Pipestone, Carol Carstensen of Pipestone and Barbara (Roger) Lenz of Webster City, IA; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Floyd & Viola, sister JoAnne Remmele, and nephew Ryan Peterson.