Nella Droge, loving mother and faithful wife, peacefully went home to her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Battle Ground, Washington.
Nella was born on Jan. 5, 1941 in Bozeman, Montana to John R. and Willemina VanDyken. She grew up in Churchill, Montana and returned to the area frequently to spend time with family.
Her family was her sole focus. She retired early from First Independent Bank to spend time focusing on her grandchildren. She put the needs of her family first, always looking out for everyone else. She loved to travel, scrapbook, make cards and spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. National parks were one of her favorite travel destinations, having visited most of them.
Above all, she loved serving the Lord and her kindness, generosity and compassion were immediately seen by friends and strangers alike. Nella will be desperately missed by all those left behind. Our hearts are broken by this unexpected loss. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was a true blessing.
Nella was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, J Dean Droge. She is survived by her sisters Helene (Fred) Ypma and Mary (Jack) Braaksma; brother Rod (Marlene) VanDyken; her daughters Pam (Dave) Carlile, Valorie (Dave) Norwood and Lisa (Kim) McBride; her grandchildren Jessica (Silas) Stardance, Janel (Josiah) Thomas, Haley Norwood, Jed (Katie) McBride, and Sara Norwood; and her great-grandchildren Jude, Eva and Wilder Thomas.
A celebration of Nella’s life will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Crossway Church in Battle Ground, Washington at 11 a.m.
