Loreta May Dressel

Celebration of Life – Loreta Mae Moats Dressel (1939-2024)

Loreta Mae Moats Dressel was born in 1939 in Grundy Center, Iowa to Glen and Gladys Moats. Loreta was the eldest, followed by Lois and Carl.

Loreta grew up on the family farm outside of Grundy Center. She loved reading, singing, gardening, quilting, crocheting, and baking. These became lifelong hobbies for her. The whole family was active at Ivester Brethren Church where Loreta gave her life to Jesus Christ. Her faith and her Bible were important to her throughout her life.

Loreta graduated from Grundy Center High School and attended McPherson College in Kansas. While at college, she met Dale Dressel whom she married in May 1957. They settled outside of Lyons, Kansas where they farmed, and Gale also worked at the natural gas company. Loreta completed a teaching degree at nearby Sterling College and went on to teach first grade and art for 25 years in Lyons.

The Dressels had three children: Lon, Darin, and Tammy. Loreta passed on a love for reading and gave them a strong Christian foundation. The family was very active at Ebenezer Methodist Church in Lyons.

Loreta had an amazing ability to juggle responsibilities as a wife, mother, teacher, and church member. She sewed all of her children’s clothing, helped with the harvests, and actively pursued her hobbies and interests. Her baking and cooking were famous—especially her cinnamon rolls, tea rings, peanut brittle, taffy, and salsa.

In 1986, the Dressels bought a summer chalet near Nathrop, Colorado. In 1995 following a divorce, Loreta moved permanently to the chalet. Loreta got involved at First Baptist of Buena Vista (now Valley Fellowship Church). She was a key leader in the Bethlehem Marketplace for 25+ years and helped cook Wednesday evening church dinners for a decade. She made coffee for the adult Sunday School class, hosted a Second Helping group, and was in many Bible studies.

Loreta participated in a hiking group, PEO, and Buena Vista Women’s Connection. She was an avid birdwatcher and loved gifting little sweet pea bouquets from her garden.  

On May 8, 2024 Loreta passed away due to health complications. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Carl. Loreta is survived by sister Lois (Charles) Kruse; children Lon, Darin, and Tammy Dressel; grandchildren Stephanie (Joey) Niolet and Kelsey (Cory) Brack; great-grandchildren Brady and Hailey Brack; and cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 11 am at Valley Fellowship Church, 608 S. San Juan, Buena Vista. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Benevolence Fund at Valley Fellowship.

The link for giving is https://valley fellowship.churchcenter.com/giving  

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