Jeffery Allen Dreier, '88, passed away on October 7, 2019 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Jeffery Allen Dreier, 50, passed away peacefully Monday, October, 7, 2019, at Rapid City Regional Hospital, after battling cancer. Jeff was born September, 4, 1969 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Roger Dreier and Linda Winkelhake (During).
He resided at and attended Boy Town High School in Nebraska, where he largely attributed to his growing into a “well-rounded, structured and productive member of society”; traits which have stayed with him throughout his life. Jeff graduated from Boys Town in 1988.
Jeff joined the United States Air Force in July 1989, where he was an aircraft hydraulics systems specialist. His assignments include K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI, Altus AFB, OK, Mountain Home AFB, ID, Eielson AFB, AK and Ellsworth AFB, SD. Jeff had multiple deployments, to include Diego Garcia, Qatar and Afghanistan.
While stationed in Idaho, Jeff met Jennifer Bennett. The two were married October, 10, 2006, in Mountain Home, ID. In March, 2007, Jeff was reassigned to accompany Jennifer and her son, Collin, in Alaska, where they enjoyed camping, fishing, 4-wheeling and hockey as a family. In July 2008, Jennifer gave birth to their daughter, Ryan. Their family relocated to Ellsworth AFB, SD in April 2010, with Jeff eventually retiring in 2013 after 24 years of honorable service.
After retirement from the Air Force, Jeff attended Butler Professional Farrier School in Crawford, NE. Upon completion, Jeff then enrolled in and completed Western Dakota Tech’s welding program.
Jeff had a passion for music, football, riding horses and what he would say, “melting metal”.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Jennifer Dreier (Bennett), daughter, Ryan Dreier, stepson, Collin Bettinger (Julia), father, Roger Dreier (Mary) of Antigo, WI, mother, Linda Winkelhake of Dunbar, NE, father in law, James Bennett, mother in law, Darlene Bennett, stepbrother, Mike Winkelhake, stepsister, Tracey Winkelhake (Greg Conz), brother in law, James Bennett (Silvia), nephews, Dylan Doeden (Jessica) and Brandon Doeden (Erin), great-nieces and nephews; Austin, Holly, Harper, Connor, Henry and Lucy. He is also survived by Chelsey Bosworth (Sean) and Ty Duncan (Amanda). Jeff was preceded in death by his stepfather David Winkelhake and grandparents, which includes his ever beloved Po Po.
Should family and friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to Ryan Dreier to support her future education.