Imogene R. Drawve

Imogene Drawve, 99, of Beardstown, died Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at The Arc at Sangamon Valley in Springfield.

She was born August 6, 1925, in Beardstown, the daughter of Harry and Ethel Johnson Brannan. She married Henry Meyer "Hank" Drawve on January 23, 1945, in Amarillo, TX, and he preceded her in death on April 6, 1999.

She is survived by a daughter Mary Ann Buck of Alton; two sons Gary Drawve (wife Pam) of Springfield and Mark Drawve (wife Carol) of Lerna; eight grandchildren Michael and Mark Lehmkuhl and Brett (wife Amelia), Adam (husband Nathan), Grant(wife Dana), Alex(wife Jenny) Drawve, Ashley(husband Paul) Cobb, and Amanda (husband Ben) Egan; fifteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters, Anna Marie Hobrock, Rosemary Langdon, and Elizabeth Kupfer, and two brothers, John and Edwin Brannan.

Imogene's commitment to her community was unwavering. She graduated from Beardstown High School in 1942 and became a dedicated member of the Beardstown Emblem Club #474. Her service as city treasurer for nineteen years, her lifelong membership at St. Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown, and her 19-year tenure on the Cass County Board, where she also served as the Democrat Party Chairwoman, are testaments to her dedication. In 2011, Governor Pat Quinn awarded her Senior IL Hall of Fame, which brought her so much pride.

Imogene's love for her family and friends was boundless. She was a guiding light in her children's lives, running Drawve's Nursery School for thirty-five years. Her love extended to the community at Eddie Garnier Apartments, where she was always ready to lend a helping hand. Her influence was felt in St. Anne's Place, and her greatest joys were her family and friends and being the best mom, grandma, and Gigi she could be. She was an angel on earth and is now in heaven after earning her wings.

Memorial Mass will be held at 10 A.M., Saturday, April 12, 2025 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown. Burial will be in Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 5-7 P.M., Friday April 11, 2025 at Colwell Memorial Home with a prayer service following the visitation. Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Cass County Food Pantry, Cass/Schuyler Area Hospice or Mass intentions offered for Imogene Drawve. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.