Judine Jane (Whaley) Drayer

On October 15, 2021 Judine J. (Whaley) Drayer was called by God who sent His son, Jesus, to take her to be with her Father in Heaven.

Judine J. Drayer was born on Wednesday, September 5, 1934, in Madison, South Dakota.  She attended all twelve years of education in the Madison Public Schools.  Upon her High School graduation she spent one year attending Dakota State College (now University) in Madison, and worked for Attorney L. F. Ericsson, a state legislator; she was personally recommended to him by her high school business teacher and thoroughly enjoyed her work with Mr. Ericsson.

After her one year at Dakota State College (Also previously known as General Beadle State College) she decided to attend South Dakota State College (now University) in Brookings, SD.  She majored in Home Economics Education.  While at SDSU she met and married John Drayer. Both were members of the Wesley Foundation.  Judine graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957.

She joined her husband, John, who was stationed with the U. S. Army in Germany where they spent 18 months.  While there the couple enjoyed traveling in Europe and was able to visit 8 countries.  Upon their return from Germany, their first child, Cynthia, was born in Brookings where John was pursuing a Master’s Degree. She and John accepted positions teaching in the Bryant, SD, Public Schools for 2 years.  She taught Home Economics, English and Shorthand.

When John accepted a principalship in Armour, South Dakota, she became a stay-at-home Mom and their son Jay, was born there.

She continued the role of a loving, stay-at-home Mom when the family moved to Gettysburg, SD, where she also did substitute teaching.  After 4 years there, the family moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where John earned the Doctorate degree.  Judine worked at the University of Wyoming for the retired President, D. D. Humphrey and in the Psychology Department for two years.  The family then moved to Aberdeen, SD, where Judine began as a substitute teacher and later was hired full time for a total of 7 years.  After fourteen years in Aberdeen she and John decided to enter the residential real estate profession and moved to Sioux Falls, SD, for 1 and ½ years.  Their daughter had earlier moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and their visits there enticed them to relocate and sell residential real estate together.  After 21 successful years in that business, they both retired at the end of 2007.

Judine was a member of St. Stephens United Methodist Church since 1986, having served her Lord in choir, in the Sunday School Department, the Building Committee and as a greeter for one of the services.  Judine will be laid to rest at the Doland, SD cemetery.  She is survived by her husband, John, their children Cindy and Jay along with their spouses Joe Henfling and Jeanette Drayer, four granddaughters, two grandsons, 6 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and two brothers.  Please send memorials in Judine’s name to:  Alzheimer’s Association of New Mexico – 9500 Montgomery, NE Ste 121 Albuquerque, NM  87111.