Neil Hoey Dragland

1958 - 2015

It is with sadness that the family of Neil Dragland announce his passing which occurred in Bow Island at the age of 56. Neil was born in Taber, Alberta on May 14, 1958 - the Stampede was on and the lilacs were blooming beautifully. Neil came a little early, so a name had not yet been chosen. A Neilson’s chocolate box was sitting on the table and that looked like a good name.

Neil enjoyed the advantages of a farm upbringing, hanging out with his schoolmates at the nearby Conquerville Centralized School, belonging to the 4-H Club as well as the summers spent with his Dragland cousins, Dean, Bradley and Todd, who stayed with their grandparents. Each Christmas, Neil was very busy trying to find his presents. He said that once he even looked at Norden’s in case they had been hid there. His presents had to be wrapped up, even his last one, a box of food items, as it was no longer possible to buy him anything he liked.

After graduating from Gershaw High School in Bow Island, Neil started farming and continued with farming for the next 20 years. He then rented out his land and bought a house in Bow Island. Neil visited Glen in Thailand, went to Hawaii and perhaps even went on some trips south of the border. His main pastime seemed to be going to the coffee shop and he was an avid reader. At one time, he commented that he had read the Bible twice. Neil is survived by his father, Vern Dragland; his mother, Margaret (Ian) Anderson and his aunt, Violet Hansen all of Medicine Hat; brother, Lyle Dragland of the Medicine Hat District and his friend since childhood, Larry Voeller of Bow Island.

Neil has gone on now to join his brother, Glen, who passed away on April 21, 2012, and who Lyle requested that we remember at this time as Glen did not have a funeral. A Celebration of Neil’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Monday, February 2, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Norman Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery with a time of fellowship and refreshments thereafter in the Cook Southland Reception Facility. Neil believed in helping children. Those wishing to remember Neil may do so through a donation to the Children’s Wish Foundation, 39 Somerset Dale S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 0G9 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1201, Station Main, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 7H3.

Bow Island, Alberta - April 2009

Hello:

Here is a cool website for interested Draglands to check out... www.ourfutureourpast.ca

You can find the Conquerville history book on it.
You can also find old newspapers on it.

Best Regards,
Neil