Wendell Draves

Wendell N. "Dell" Draves, age 75, of Nisswa, MN, formerly of Richfield and Bloomington, MN, passed away Friday, September 15, 2017, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis. He is survived by sister, Kay; cousins, Jim (Sheri), Elaine, Jackie (Gayle); Godchildren: Brian (Kelli), Cori (Kristin) and Vickie. He was preceded in death by parents, Wm. Wendell Draves and Martha Emily Draves; grandparents, Bessie and William Draves, Minnie and Hjalmer Nelson; aunt, Alice Cyr; aunts and uncles Beatrice and Marvin Breault and Betty and Ken Anderson; and best friend, Denny Lynch.

Dell was born January 24, 1942. He graduated from Richfield High School in 1960 and the University of Minnesota in 1968. In 1964 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood then was sent to the 4th Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, WA. He also spent 2 years in the Reserves.

Dell worked for Holiday Station Store while attending college. He worked at Fairview Hospital after attending Control Data Institute, then went to work for Sperry Univac Minneapolis Marketing Group. Dell then started Data-Max Computer Consulting Group and later started Draves and Barke Software Company that developed software for food manufacurers and distributers and later branched into commodities. After retiring at age 55, he and Kay moved to their lake home in Nisswa, MN.

Dell was active at Grace United Methodist Church, was treasurer of the Nisswa Garden Club and on the board of directors for the Nisswa Historical Society. He joined the Nisswa American Legion and served as an officer. He was also active in the Nisswa Lions Club as past president and was president of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Project. Dell was named Nisswa Citizen of the Year in 2004.

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Grace United Methodist Church, Pequot Lakes. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to Grace United Methodist Church and the Nisswa American Legion.