Noel R. Drummond
July 2, 1939 ~ January 21, 2020
Noel was a proud, happy, and beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, friend, and educator. Noel R Drummond, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Bethany on University in Fargo ND.
He was born July 2, 1939 to Donald and Kate (Gummringer) Drummond in Maddock ND. He grew up in Oberon ND, with his parents and two sisters, Vanatta and Shelley. At an early age, he learned of his love of hunting, shooting his first goose as an 8 year-old. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, he joined the Navy at the age of 17 proudly serving four years. Upon completing his term there, he attended Lake Region Junior College and Mayville State, graduating in 1963 and May 1966, respectively.
On June 16, 1966, Noel married Cleo (Krapp) Drummond, and he joined Cleo as a fellow educator, Noel teaching in Leeds ND and Cleo at the ND School for the Deaf in Devils Lake. After teaching in Alaska, and after spending a year in Oregon to allow Noel time to obtain a Master’s Degree, Noel and Cleo moved to Glenfield ND to live, teach, and raise their three children. Throughout their years in Glenfield, Noel earned other administrative certifications and proudly served the Midkota area school district as a teacher, principal, and superintendent until he retired in 1997. He would insert life-lessons in to his teaching and administrating whenever possible, giving many words of wisdom, encouragement, and advice. During his summer months, he worked as a crop adjuster for State Farm Ins.
Noel loved all of his work – he was a dedicated family man and friend while at the same time influencing lives while serving the families of the school district. He deeply cared about the futures of his students, was able to teach the common man as well as future doctors, and was well-respected throughout the greater community. He knew his students very well – he knew who needed to be handled sternly as well as who needed a gentle hand. He was a passionate school sports fan and also gave back to his community by teaching hunter safety. During the fall months, you could find Noel in a field under a blind, in a road-side ditch, or in a rock pile shooting geese. After retirement, you could find Noel on the hunting trail seven days a week, hunting with his good buddies, sons, and nephews across ND as well as in to Canada. Nothing made him happier once his grandkids could come out on the hunt.
In 2007, Noel and Cleo moved to Fargo to be closer to their family and enjoying their grandchildren’s activities. Noel enjoyed the family gatherings and visits, and he especially enjoyed watching Cleo interact with the grandchildren.
Noel is survived by his wife, Cleo, three children, Don (Amy) Drummond, Scott (Carrie Brezden) Drummond, Suzanne (Justin) Fox, and grandchildren Madison, Ryan, Megan, Jake, and Kate, all of Fargo; sister Shelley (Bob) McMaster, Napa, CA; sister-in-law Shirley Palmer, Fargo; nephews: Rex King Jr., Chris (Kristi) Palmer, Chuck (Jennifer) Palmer, Curt (Punker) (Lana) Palmer; nieces: Christie McMaster, Mary (Shawn) Bjonfald, Corine King, and Christine (Eric) Leigland; and other cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Drummond and Kate (Gummringer) Drummond; sister, Vanatta King; mother-in-law, Ann Stocking; brother-in-law, Denny Palmer; and nephew, Robert McMaster.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 31 at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (710 10th St S, Fargo) at 5PM followed by a prayer service at 6:30PM. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 1 at 11AM at St. Anthony of Padua with a visitation just prior from 10AM to 11AM. Burial will be held at 2PM on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the Fargo National Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you all during this difficult time!
Lew & Alvina Brezden
(Carrie’s parents)
Cleo and family,
So sorry to hear of Noel’s passing. He was certainly a wonderful asset to the school and community. We’re thinking of you.
Kerwin and I wish to extend our sympathy to you and all of your family Cleo. We are glad Noel had a good retirement and was able to hunt with his boys and grandchildren. He was a special part of the community and school for many years. God Bless you and your family and may he rest in peace.
Thinking of all of you as you go on now without Noel in your lives. God Bless you all. Our early years in Oberon included the Drummond family.
Love from the McMasters in Napa ca. Noel we had a wonderful childhood growing up in Oberon. You as my big brother was very amazing.Much love to you and someday we will meet again. Love Sshelley
In Oberon I grew up with the family esp Vanetta was a High School friend!
Noel will be missed by many in this town and his friends at school. My
thoughts and prayers are with the family Carol Woolley Haskin
Noel you have earned your place in heaven and especially in our memories. You will be truly missed. May your family have peace of mind knowing that you are truly resting in peace.
So sorry to hear of Noel’s passing. I have wonderful memories of him as a teacher and principal. Not only was he a very effective educator, but he was so encouraging as well. He believed in me, and that made a world of difference! My thoughts and prayers are with your family!
My Uncle Noel was one of the best men I ever knew. He put his family first, not any ambitions he had. He was an example to me all my life, when my own father fell short along with Grandpa Don. My love, loyalty, honour and respect to the Drummond family always. I love you all and am praying for you all. My heart is broken over losing my Unc.
Cleo, Don, Scott and Sue: our thoughts and prayers are with you all! We both have some of the greatest memories from the classroom, hunting and mostly when your Dad would have to come out and break up a fight when we were youngsters playing ball in the yard. What a great inspiration he was/is to many.
Our families were connected in many ways by living across the street from Drummond’s. Many a monopoly game was played on winter nights.Good and bad times were shared.Noel and his family left many wonderful memories for us.My love to Cleo,Shelly and their families.Thoughts and prayers are with you.
We grew up next door to the Drummonds in Oberon.
My deepest condolences on Noel’s passing and prayers for comfort and strength for his family.
Noel and I met in 1986 while working for Rain and Hail insurance company. As a rookie hail adjuster I worked that summer learning the ropes from the seasoned veteran. Devils Lake had been pummeled by a June hail storm and I rode with Noel recording the percentage of losses as we went from field to field. Noel had a gift for gab with the farmers as well as doing the complex math computations for determining the percentage of hail losses. I remember that summer well and appreciate all that I learned heading into my 35th summer of crop hail adjusting. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Prayers and all our love. May God’s Blessings and many memories fill your hearts.
This is the most loving obituary I’ve ever read Cleo. What a beautiful life. No wonder you have such a warmth and loving spirit you had a great love.
I never met Noel, but grew up with Cleo until our senior year in high school. My heartfelt sympathies to Cleo & family. Prayers coming your way
Dear Cleo & family, Joel and I send our sympathy to you all at this sad time. We remember Noel in his hunting gear with his friends and family and being a great teacher and principal at Glenfield! He loved his family and his students and will be remembered always. With our hope that the many good memories will give you peace. Sincerely, Joel and Joy
So sorry to see of Noe’s passing! We were both from Oberon
and am remembering Noel’s family so well. He will be missed a lot. Carol H