Earl Ynte Dragt

Earl Ynte Dragt passed away at the age of 76, on March 10, 2023, in San Angelo, TX from complications of ALS. He was born on July 14th, 1946 in The Netherlands to Geert and Jeltje (Visser) Dragt and was the youngest of 10 children. He is survived by his wife, Paulette Dragt, and his children and their spouses: Jeannie Dragt and Kevin Montano, Gerrit and Brandie Dragt, and Rachael and Johnny Ton. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Savannah and Ryan Mendez, Austin Dragt, Natalie Dragt, Arie Dragt, John Ton, Aidan Ton, Samuel Ton, Maggie Ton, Travis Fosnacht, Scarlett Mendez, and Mario Mendez. He is survived by siblings: Harold Dragt (Jeanette), Grace Prins, and Henry Dragt (Jane). Earl was a favorite uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Michael Dragt, his parents, and siblings: Peter Dragt, William Dragt, Andy Dragt, Edna Brower, Rena de Jong, and Nelly Bosman.

Earl immigrated from The Netherlands to Santee, California in 1950 and the family eventually settled on a dairy farm in Escondido, California where he learned the value of hard work by working side-by-side with his father, Geert. He later served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 earning an honorable discharge at the end of his service. In 1972 he took a big risk and moved to Rochester, Washington to start Dragt Farms. That same year, he married

Paulette Gerken, and she joined him on the dairy where they were the only two employees for a time. They eventually had four children: Jeannie, Gerrit, Rachael, and Michael. Together the family worked hard to make Dragt Farms a success. Earl retired from the dairy business in 2007 but stayed busy with a herd of Angus beef cows for the next 10 years. In August 2021, Earl and Paulette sold their land and home in Rochester, and moved to San Angelo, Texas to be nearer to their son Gerrit and his wife Brandie and to experience a different part of the country.

Earl was ambitious, strong-willed, and always busy. He loved driving his Polaris around the neighborhood and visiting with whomever he saw. He enjoyed working in his yard and maintained beautiful yards both in Washington and Texas. He loved to cook, grill, and

entertain friends and family from far and wide. Earl had many friends from all walks of life and was always interested in your stories. He never knew a stranger. Earl will be missed by all, especially by his family, whom he dearly loved.

There will be a celebration of life service April 30th at 1 pm at The Red Barn Studios, 207 Goff Rd. Chehalis, Washington 98532.