Henry W. Drueke, 96, of West Point, died Monday, May 12, 2025 at Colonial Haven in Beemer. Funeral Mass will be 10:30am on Friday, May 16 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Rev. James Weeder as celebrant. Burial with military honors will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery with lunch following at the GACC Cafeteria. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00pm at Stokely Funeral Home in West Point. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Cuming County Fair Foundation. Arrangements by Stokely Funeral Home.

Henry Willard Drueke was born on April 11, 1929, in West Point to Frank and Agnes (Johnson) Drueke. After graduating from Guardian Angels Catholic High School in 1946, he was drafted into the United States Army in 1952, proudly serving his country stationed in Japan during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1954.

Returning to his roots, Henry dedicated the rest of his life to farming. On a memorable night of dancing, he met Bernadette Kosuth, and they married on October 10, 1970, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Omaha. Together, they built a life on the farm, managing crops and dairy operations until they ended dairy farming in 1999. Henry continued farming actively, running his combine still at age 95.

Henry cherished life’s simple pleasures: polka music, Lawrence Welk shows, and spirited weekly card parties. Dancing remained a lifelong joy for Henry and Bernadette, alongside trips to visit family and occasional ventures to the casino. Deeply involved in agriculture, Henry proudly showed cows and served as a 4-H leader. An annual tradition for the couple was raising sweet corn and pumpkins. Henry planted and maintained them by hand every year and took great pride in distributing the harvest amongst family and friends.

A passionate Nebraska football fan, Henry enjoyed all sports and rarely missed a game. He relished life’s comforts, particularly savoring hot chocolate and ice cream. Above all, Henry’s greatest joy was farming—his life’s work.

Survivors include daughter, Mary Fran (Rusty) Collins of West Point; grandchildren, Dustin (Janelle) Collins, Nathan Collins and Kara (Lincoln) Hager; great grandchildren, Cameron and Boone Hager; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernie in 2024; and siblings, Sr. Agnes Ann and Richard Drueke.