Mike and Teresa Drietz family
The Drietz family farm was purchased in the early 1960s by Donald and Evelyn Drietz. They farmed the land, milked cows and raised pigs and chickens. Evelyn always planted a large garden, made apple pies, and butchered chickens every year. Together, they raised six children.
Mike and Teresa took over the family farm in the spring of 1996, when Donny decided to retire. Over the past 29 years, they have continued to milk cows, transitioning the herd from Grade to Registered Holsteins. In 201O, they began to purchase beef cattle, starting a small herd. In 2013, they expanded by building a monoslope, a loafing barn and remodeling the dairy barn. With the new barns they began custom feeding cattle. The family also raised a few pigs and chickens.
Through the years, Teresa has worked as a registered nurse, helping where she could on the farm. All the kids have had a hand in helping milk, feeding calves, cleaning barns and pens, and throwing bales.
Mike and Teresa raised seven kids. The oldest, Weston, graduated from South Dakota State University and is co-owner of Lemke's Bar and Grill in Aurora, S.D., where he resides with his children, Roman and Rylan. Cheyenne graduated from Sisseton Wahpeton Community College. She resides in Canby with her three children, Leanna, Jaxon and Jerrah. Morgyn is a graduate of North Dakota State University. She is married to Levi Citrowske and they live near Dawson with their boys, Atley and Isaiah. She continues to milk daily and owns her own beef cattle and some dairy cattle with her sister, Caitey. Caitey is a graduate of SDSU and currently teaches in Watertown, S.D., but comes home when she can to help milk and clean the barn. Coltyn graduated from Lake Area Technical College. He is a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard and is often home helping with chores, fixing tractors and helping with odd jobs. Emylee is currently pursuing a degree in nursing. When she is not working, she helps with milking and feeding calves. Clayton will be a senior at Canby High School. He also helps with milking, throwing hay, feeding calves and scraping barns.
The entire family has been involved in Lincoln County 4-H for the past 25 years. Teresa was the Marble Alta-Vista Club leader for close to 20 years and Mike served on the Lincoln County Extension Committee. Morgyn currently serves as the dairy superintendent. Mike is the chairman for the Lincoln County Dairy Association. Cheyenne, Morgyn, Caitey, and Emylee were all Lincoln County Dairy Princesses. Teresa continues to serve on the Marble Township Board as the clerk. The family are members of St. John Cantius Church in Wilno.