Kurt Andrew Drager passed away peacefully at home on January 23, 2023 in Farmington, Iowa at the age of 71. Originally from Lakewood, Colorado, a 1969 graduate of Lakewood, Colorado High School, Kurt was from a proud family of Colorado pioneers. An avid rugby player for over 40 years, He played the position of a Prop for the Los Angeles Rugby Club before returning to Colorado to play for the Denver Barbarians and Colorado Senior Old Boys (“CSOBs”). He once said, “I always knew I’d grow up to be a SOB”. Kurt was also heavily involved for many years with the Annual Rocky Mountain Rugby Challenge, America’s Premier High School Youth Rugby Tournaments, High School Rugby Teams from many States came to Colorado to participate in these Tournaments.
Kurt was on the board of the Pioneer Historical Society, Inc., the Farmington Museum. He spent many hours volunteering in the Museum as well as volunteering to at the many garage sales the Museum had to raise funds to maintain the Museum.
Kurt had a beautiful voice; he sang many songs to his children when they were young. He also sang Karaoke and would sing in the car or whenever an oldies song came on the radio in the car.
Kurt’s humor, wit and sarcasm never eluded him. He was always that guy at the party, that as fast as lightning could reply with a witty remark in conversation. He loved to laugh and to laugh with the people he loved most. He was a kind, caring gentle soul.
Kurt was an avid reader and history buff; he loved the Civil War and WWII history era, books and movies. He was someone to contend with in a game of Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy. Many evenings were spent watching Jeopardy with his daughters and later with Heidi staring at him in awe as he rambled off every single answer. Kurt was also an excellent cook, cherished his cookbooks and prepared most of the evening meals, which were always amazingly delicious.
Later in life, Kurt met Heidi, they bicycled many miles on the 100s of miles of bike trails and hiked all over the mountains of Colorado. Traveled to the Copper Canyon in Mexico, a wonderful trip to Iceland, toured 3 Islands in Hawaii, and travelled extensively throughout the United States visiting many sites as well as civil war memorials. He retired to the small town of Farmington, Iowa, renovating an old train depot for their home. Here he enjoyed his quiet small-town life, gardening, working in the yard and watching the wildlife. He loved it there, speaking often of the calmness and serenity of Iowa but his love for Colorado never waned.
Kurt is preceded in death by his parents: Kenneth and Gwen Drager, and brother: Clay Drager. He leaves behind his love, soulmate, and friend: Heidi Schutt; brother: Quentin Drager; daughters: Jennifer Drager, Kirsten Drager, and Kenna Drager (Jay Medina); as well as four grandchildren and three great grandchildren all of Colorado. As friends and family mourn Kurt’s passing, his legacy of humor and humility will live on through those who loved him most.
Kurt’s body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation. Per his wishes, there will not be a service or memorial.
Memorials may be given to Every Step Hospice Foundation or the Farmington, Iowa EMT’s and can be mailed to the family at: Heidi Schutt, 520 State Street, Farmington, Iowa 52626.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements.
