Glen DeKrey

Glen DeKrey, 94, Bismarck, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, Dec. 5 at Steele United Methodist Church, 102 2nd St SW, Steele, ND.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Final interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Steele. 

Glen Vernon DeKrey was born September 17, 1930 to Cornelius and Winnie DeKrey. Glen was the fifth child of seven children born to the DeKreys. Glen attended school in Weiser township and Pettibone, ND until his senior year when his family moved to a farm located at Steele, ND. Glen graduated from Steele High School and then completed credentials to serve as an elementary school teacher in a country school for two years. Glen then enrolled at the ND Agricultural College (NDSU) and pursued a degree in Mechanized Agriculture. 

On July 19th, 1953, Glen was united in marriage to Verla Smith daughter of Clarence and Helen Smith of Steele, ND. Glen and Verla moved to Fargo, ND in the fall of 1953 and Glen continued his studies on the NDSU Campus. Following graduation Glen and Verla returned to Steele and soon established their own farmstead. Glen and Verla operated a diversified small grain and cattle operation. Glen was active in 4-H as a youth and continued serving as 4-H Leader and served a term as member of the State 4-H Council. Glen also served as PTA President and Cub Scout Pack leader. After ten years of farming Glen accepted a job offer as ASCS Director with the Department of Agriculture. Glen’s job found him on the road for many days at a time however with the support of Verla and family the family farm operation continued and expanded. Glen strove to introduce conservation and innovative concepts into his farming operation. The DeKrey farm was awarded the Kidder County Soil Conservation District Conservationist Achievement Award in 1965 and later the Outstanding Agriculturist Award from NDSU. 

After twenty-three years with ASCS Glen retired and returned to the farm where he actively participated in the farming operation until relocating to Bismarck in January of 2020.

Glen was a member of the Steele Methodist Church and served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. After retirement from ASCS Glen became a member of the Kidder County Historical Society and oversaw maintenance of the Society’s Museum for decades. Glen also pursued restoring tractors and enjoyed driving his completed projects in parades and antique tour events. Glen leaves his family with many memories including Sundays at the Lake Cabin, Christmas eve at the farm, and parades with Grampa driving one of his antique tractors. 

Glen was preceded in death by his wife, Verla; parents, Cornelius and Winnie DeKrey; brothers, Lester, Warren, and Harold DeKrey; sisters, Eleanora (DeKrey) Larson and Evelyn (DeKrey) Remmich; and daughters-in-law, Phoebe (Tom) DeKrey and Beth (Kelly) DeKrey.

Glen is survived by his sister, Donna (DeKrey) Else; children, Tim (Lynn) DeKrey, Rebecca (Burton) Youngs, Tom (Sandy) DeKrey and Kelly DeKrey; grandchildren, Jessica (Damon) Stroh, Annie (Cory) Volk, Michael (Noelle) DeKrey, Christopher (Jason) Youngs, Mary Elizabeth Youngs, Sarah (Brandon) Badding, Steve (Emilie) DeKrey, Robert (Nicole) DeKrey, and Lindsey (Dean) Chumley, Landon DeKrey; and great-grandchildren, Jordan, Drew, Alaina, Kaitlyn, Noah, Gavin, Marcus, Christopher, Jason, Mary Elizabeth, Cora, Aubrey, Aeryn, Athena, Emma, Scarlet, Noah, Leah and Greyson.