Christopher Alan Droes, 59, of St. Germain, Wis., passed away on Sunday evening, Feb. 12, 2023, at his home with his family at his side.

Chris was born in Madison, Wis., on Aug. 6, 1963, to Eugene and Lois (Adams) Droes.

He was raised in Waunakee, Wis., and graduated from Waunakee High School in 1981. Chris then attended UW-Platteville where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1986.

Chris was employed with MSA in Rhinelander until 2001, and then with the DOT as a civil engineer, retiring in 2023 after 22 years of employment.

Chris met his future wife, Kim Feltes, while playing indoor soccer in Milwaukee, Wis. The couple were united in marriage on April 13, 1991, at St. Therese Catholic Church.

They moved to the St.Germain area in 1992 to start their family and their life together.

He was a member of the Community United Church of Christ in St. Germain.

Chris enjoyed spending all of his free time fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, pontoon rides, kayaking, biking, hiking, traveling and exploring the United States. He was an avid hockey fan and thought himself gifted at playing cards. Most of all he enjoyed being with his family and making memories doing these activities. Everything he did revolved around his family.

In the last year, Chris and Kim were in the process of building their dream home together. They also took his dream trip of going to Glacier, Banff and Jasper National Parks.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Kim, of 31 years; children, Cody Droes of Morton, Ill., and Kory (Elizabeth) Droes of St. Germain; one granddaughter, Kylie Droes; mother, Lois Droes of Madison, Wis.; siblings, Dawn Droes (Todd Johnson) of Rhinelander, Wis., and Cheryl Droes of Madison; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gerald (Joan) Feltes of St.Germain; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tammy (Justin) Wipf of North Carolina, Kevin (Stacy) Feltes of West Bend, Wis., Travis (Katrina) Feltes of North Carolina, and Troy Feltes (Alta Mullins) of Fond du Lac, Wis. Also surviving are nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Chris is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Droes.

The visitation for Chris will take place on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at the Community United Church of Christ, 1315 WI-155, St. Germain, from 10 a.m. until the 12 p.m. memorial service. Pastor Carla Simmons will officiate.

Immediately following the memorial service, the family extends a cordial invitation for everyone to join them in the church hall for a light lunch and to celebrate Chris’s life. Please bring a favorite Chris story to share.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, 54501, 715-365-4343.

Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.

PAID OBITUARY