Dale Welker Draney

Dad was born February 13, 1929 in Star Valley, Wyoming. He was the youngest son of Samuel Ebenezer Draney and Elma Undrea Welker Draney. Dad was a relative latecomer to the large Sam Draney clan. Sam and Elma married after Sam’s first wife died. Together they had 16 children of their own, raising 13, as well as Sam’s 7 older children. The clan home was a collection of Draney homesteads in Tyghee Valley, Idaho, just west of Star Valley, Wyoming, on Draney Creek, below towering Draney Peak. Many of the sweetest people we have ever known grew up in that 1½ story log cabin, which at some point was partially covered in clapboard.

Dad served as a corporal in the Army, training troops in Alabama, and leading a machinegun squad on the front lines in Korea. He attended Stevens-Henager College of Business and received an accounting degree from the University of Utah. Dad’s brief vocations included a hard-rock miner, carpenter’s helper, oilrig roughneck, bartender, and cabbie. He worked 37 years for Intermountain Furniture Company in Salt Lake City, Utah before pursuing the vocation of his dreams, Star Valley rancher and cowman.

Dad married Shirley Johnson on August 26, 1955. Together they raised 4 children in Salt Lake County, Utah. After being a widow for many years, Dale married Sandra Stauss of Silver Bay, Minnesota on October 19, 2007.

Dad loved many things, the outdoors in particular, but we never doubted his love for his children, children by affection, grandchildren, grandchildren by affection, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. They were his greatest joy.

Dad is survived by his wife, Sandra, his two daughters, Dawn L. Draney Maxfield and Undrea L. Draney-Woolley, along with the long-time daughter of his heart, Marion Lynn Robertson. Dad is survived by his two sons, Brad M. Draney and Shawn E. Draney, and his “he’s mine too” son by affection, David H. Hanks. Dad loved his daughter-in-laws, Cristine Ruff Draney (Brad) and Teresa Lindley Draney (Shawn) and his son-in-laws, Austin Maxfield (Dawn) and Dan Woolley (Undrea). Dad often said his kids had done well for themselves in the marriage department. He was not only their father-in-law, but also their friend and Papa. Papa leaves a wonderful legacy of 22 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren.

Dad was a prolific and eclectic collector of friends. Dad was a father and Papa to many and leaves behind his step-children, Janinne, Charles, Richard, Geoffrey, Celeste and Sarah. Dad is survived by one sweet Sis, Vada Draney Smith. Dad was proceeded in death by his wife, his Swede,” Shirley Johnson Draney, a precious granddaughter, Desiree dawn Maxfield, 21 sisters and brothers and his stepson and friend, Griffin Gartley.

Visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - Day Saints.

Funeral Service will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - Day Saints.