Duane Charles Dreger born July 5, 1943, the son of Paul and Martha Dreger (nee Peterson) and the eldest child of his three siblings. He was raised on the family homestead west of Ebenezer, SK., without any electricity or winter road ploughing. Pitching in with his family’s farm and neighbouring uncles’ farms, Duane learned farming but also to trap, hunt and fish. In 1959 Duane moved to Yorkton, finishing high school to graduate from Yorkton Regional High in 1961. Duane began employment in the meat cutting industry and mining industry but eventually landed in the oil and gas industry and farming.
Duane met his wife Darlene (Perpeluk) while working at B.J. Hughes in Estevan and soon after moved to Calgary to get his diploma at SAIT in Petroleum Engineering. After living in Calgary a few years, he moved his young family to Regina to join Sask Oil and Gas Corp, which became Wascana Energy. Duane and Darlene purchased their own homestead close to Balgonie, SK where they raised their four daughters. After leaving oil and gas in 1994, full time farming took up most of Duane’s time, but his later years saw him enjoy day-fishing trips to the valley, watching sports and mole trapping. Duane left his farm earlier than planned, but he gracefully experienced his next stage of life with help from visits from family, friends and facility staff.
Duane passed away March 21, 2025 at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre surrounded by loved ones. Duane will be remembered for his hard work, intensity, providing for his family and love of fishing, curling and the outdoors. Predeceased by his parents, Paul and Martha (Peterson) Dreger, brother Glen, infant sister, Myra, beloved uncles and aunties. Duane leaves to mourn his loving wife, Darlene (Perpeluk); his daughters, Delmyra (Fred) Skutar of Pritchard, BC; Darscelia of Saskatoon, SK; Dawn (Robert Hurford) of Penticton, BC. and their children Kacey, Josie and Evan Hurford; Diane (Kirk Morin) of Victoria, BC; siblings Lois (Stan) Hiller; brother Darryl (Beth) Dreger and their families; In-laws Sharon (Hanson) Dreger; Eddie and Dolores (Perpeluk) Pilipow; David and Penny (Bates) Perpeluk and their families; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Duane will be laid to rest at Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery to be close with his relatives.
