Charles "Chuck" Draper

Charles Leroy Draper was born on April 29, 1943 to Floyd and Viola (Wills) Draper in Pipestone, MN and was raised on the family farm near Ward, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at Verdi Methodist Church and attended school in Verdi. After his graduation from Verdi High School in 1961, he attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating in 1965 with a major in History. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, stationed in Westhampton Beach on Long Island. On August 12, 1967, he married Lorraine Boysen in Hills, MN. After their marriage, they resided in Westhampton Beach. While serving in the Air Force, Chuck began his journalistic career, working in information systems.

Upon Chuck’s discharge in 1969, they moved to Windom, MN where he worked as news editor and later advertising director at the Cottonwood County Citizen. Then, in 1975, they moved to Pipestone where he worked as advertising representative for the Pipestone County Star. On January 1, 1976, Chuck became the publisher and an owner of the Star and established Pipestone Publishing Co.

Over the years Chuck not only oversaw the growth of Pipestone Publishing Co., but also used his newspaper and business acumen in other areas. He was a partner in Page 1 Printers in Slayton, Livewire Printing in Jackson, developed a variety of regional specialty publications, and partnered with a group to bring the internet to Pipestone through Rural Connections. While some of these ventures came and went over the years, Chuck always held true to making the Pipestone County Star a trusted reflection of the community.

He semi-retired in 2002, yet kept busy being active in a variety of business ventures and lending his voice and knowledge to the next generation of owners. On Saturday, June 13, 2026, Chuck passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 83.

Chuck was a member of Zion Methodist Church, where he served in various capacities and enjoyed singing in the choir. Upon the church’s closure, Chuck became a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone.

Chuck had a passion for Pipestone where he found ways to apply his love of history. He was active with Historic Pipestone, Inc., Pipestone County Historical Society, Pipestone Indian Shrine Association and Friends of the Monument. He humbly gave back to his community. For example, he raised funds for the restoration of historic buildings through Historic Pipestone, Inc., cooking and selling one brat at a time for 30+ years.

He enjoyed gardening, photography, traveling, and history. He also enjoyed cooking and baking and was an avid reader. He was a hard worker, yet giving of his time. He instilled the value of lifelong learning in his children and grandchildren, often times through not-so-subtle grammar corrections. The value of family gathering around the dinner table was very important to him. He loved to spoil his grandchildren and granddogs.

He is survived by his children, Brian (Tamara) Draper and granddaughter, Erin of Rochester, MN, John (Theresa) Draper and granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Meredith, Addison and Ireland of Pipestone and Mike (Kelli) Draper and grandsons, Owen and Will of Alexandria, MN; sisters, Carol Carstensen of Pipestone and Barbara (Roger) Lenz of Webster City, Iowa; sister-in-law, Diane Draper of Tracy, MN; and brother-in-law, Alan Boysen of Hills, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; his parents, Floyd and Viola; sister, JoAnne Remmele; brother, Robert; and nephew, Ryan Peterson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed towards the Pipestone County Museum 

for the Digital Newspaper Archive project or towards the Historical Pipestone, Inc.