In lieu of gifts and flowers the family asks that donation be directed to Hope Angels in Remsen and Orange City Hospice.

Darwin Keith “Jake” Draayer, 73, died after a long battle with cancer, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Happy Siesta Health Center in Remsen, IA.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. A visitation will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Service have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen, IA. A burial service for family will be held at a later date. www.fischfh.com

Jake was born May 27, 1952, in Sioux Center, Iowa, to John G. and Gertrude (Dibbet) Draayer. In 1962 he moved with his family to a farm west of Rock Valley. He graduated from Rock Valley Community High School in 1970.

As a young man Jake had a variety of jobs, he put up steel grain bins, cut meat and farmed. Later he worked at Wells for several years and ended his career working maintenance at Bavarian Meadows.

Sept 30, 2000, he married Joyce Harvey-Galles and became an instant father and grandfather.

He enjoyed mowing and collecting tractors, trucks and trains. If he wasn’t at home you could find him at the Hard Rock Casino or having coffee at Mrs. B’s.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce of Remsen, IA; 7 step-children, Jacki (Jim) UIlman of Wahoo, NE, John (Amber) Galles of Aurora, CO, Jamie (Cory) Spangler of Le Mars, IA, Joe (Sarah) Galles of Le Mars, IA, Jesse (Amanda) Galles of Le Mars, IA, Jeremy (Melissa) Galles of Le Mars,IA, Julie (Wes) Wortman, Wynot, NE; 26 step-grandchildren; brothers, Lyle (Emily) Draayer of Anchorage, AK, Conrad Draayer of Louisville, CO; niece, Amber Draayer; In-laws, Keith (Noreen) Harvey, Karen Anderson, Roger (Maureen) Harvey, Lauri Dickman; aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gertrude; brother, Earl Draayer; parents-in-law, Floyd and Verna Harvey; brother-in-law, David Harvey; step-grandson, Dylan Wiebersch.