Dillie Droak, age 86, a resident of Hayward, WI, died on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Essentia Health-Miller Dwan.

Dillie was born January 21, 1935, in Mississippi to parents Andrew and Dena (Miller) Spears.

She spent over 35 years of her life as an over the road trucker which was groundbreaking for women in the industry. Trucking helped fulfill her love for travel and Dillie was able to make many lifelong friendships along the way. After her retirement, Dillie began taking up an interest in writing and wrote many modern western adventures and mysteries. She loved to crochet, quilt, sew, do jigsaw puzzles and color in adult coloring with her wide array of gel pens. In her free time from crafts, Dillie would watch the wildlife outside her window including bear, deer, squirrels and chipmunks, her favorite being Chippy chipmunk who would invite himself inside to get his seeds and scurry back out the door. Dillie was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She spent the last few months of her life receiving excellent care at Harbor Living in Hayward where she will be missed greatly.

Dillie is survived by her children, Sheryl (John) Goettl and Kevin (Pamela) Droak; grandchildren, Aimee (Nicholas) Goodremote, Virginia Smith, Alan (Taylor) Goettl, and Andrew Droak; great grandchildren, Jazmyn, Mason, Michael, Draven, and Nervana; step grandchildren, Lori and Michael; and step great grandchildren, Jennifer and Michael.

She is proceeded in death by her parents and her sister, Katherine Tate.

A memorial service with a tree planted in Dillie’s memory will be held at a later date.

Last Update: Aug 20, 2021 8:14 am CDT