Joseph Kaspar Dreher

       Joseph Kaspar Dreher, 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 8, 2026.

   Joe was born at home in Kendal, SK, the twelfth of twenty children.  He attended a country school by horse and buggy.  In 1942 his family moved to a grain farm in Francis, SK.  When he was in grade two, Joe was helping out with the harvest by driving a team of horses to pick up sheaves from a stook loader.

   In 1945 his family moved to Tyvan where he attended grades four through ten.  After finishing grade ten, he boarded at Campion College in Regina for grades eleven and twelve.  It was there that he decided to enter the Roman Catholic priesthood.

   In the fall of 1954, Joe went to London, ON to begin seven years of seminary.  He was ordained in 1961 in Regina, SK.  For the next eleven years he ministered in various appointments in Saskatchewan.  After eleven years, he felt the loneliness of the celibate life.  He married Jean Heggie and they had one son, David.

   After Joe left the priesthood, he became a social worker placing hundreds of babies with foster and adoptive families.  He continued ministering in a Roman Catholic program called “New Beginnings” for divorced, separated and widowed persons.  In 1983 Joe married Sharon Dickerson and they moved to Fort Qu’Appelle, SK where Joe continued social work on the Reserves.

   In 1985, Joe made the decision to leave the Roman Catholic Church.  It was Joe and Sharon’s dream to minister together, and in 1994 they moved to Fernie, BC to become pastors at Good News Congregational Church.  They were both ordained by the Congregational Church while here.

   In 1997, Joe and Sharon left Fernie and spent five months caring for Sharon’s dad, then made their home in the Crowsnest Pass, AB.  In 2003 Joe wanted to reaffirm his commitment to the Lord by being baptized as a believing adult.

   Over the years in the Crowsnest Pass Joe visited and prayed with hundreds of people who were sick in hospital, residents in the Continuing Care Centre, and shut ins.  For twelve years he delivered Meals On Wheels, and for thirty years he got up around 3:00am every day to pray for others before returning to bed.  Interceding for the needs of others was an important part of Joe’s relationship with Christ and love for others.  Even though Joe struggled to remember many things due to dementia, he was still able to take part in going to church and other social events.  Joe was a “people person”, and he will be remembered for his friendliness and enduring faith.

   Joe will be greatly missed by his wife of forty-two years, Sharon; his son, David (Anne-Marie); granddaughters, Genevieve and Katarina; his brothers, Cub, Gabe and Paul; his sister, Carol; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

   Joe’s family is grateful to Dr. Penner, the emergency doctors, nurses, EMTs and all the staff at the Crowsnest Pass Health Centre for their wonderful care.  Thank you also to all the home care workers who came to the house to help Joe for several years, and we are grateful to Cartwright Cares for all they did for Joe through the day program they offer.

   A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Crowsnest Community Christian Centre “The Church on the Hill” (8534 – 24 Ave., Coleman, AB) with Pastor Jep Banda officiating.  The service will also be live-streamed on the church’s website (www.crowsnestchristiancentre.ca).  Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements. (403) 562-8555

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