Obituaries Obituaries (July 08, 2005)

Francis 'Frank' Draeger, founder of Draeger's Supermarkets

Frank Draeger, a pillar in the local grocery business, passed away unexpectedly on July 2 at his home in Hillsborough. He was 86.

Born on April 1, 1919 to Gustave and Harriet Draeger in San Francisco, Draeger learned to love the grocery business, working alongside his father in the family's delicatessen and liquor stores. His experience eventually led him to establish Draeger's Supermarkets, a gourmet food store with three locations on the Peninsula, including Los Altos.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary (Diepenbrock) Draeger, his sister, Harriet Draeger, 10 children, 9 sons- and daughters-in-law and 22 grandchildren.

Draeger's life will be celebrated at a rosary vigil at 7 p.m. Friday, July 8 and at a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9 at St. Bartholomew's Church, San Mateo. Send donations to St. Vincent de Paul, 50 North B St., San Mateo.

Anne Eleanor Russell

Anne Eleanor Russell, a 34-year resident of Palo Alto who often worked in Mountain View as a TheatreWorks volunteer, died suddenly of a heart attack at Stanford Hospital on June 26. She was 71.

Russell was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Ohio. She graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in mathematics and worked tracking satellites in Pasadena at the height of the Cold War.

Russell was known for her extensive and eclectic wardrobe, and her remarkable daily outfits were often purple. Family members said she was as a dedicated school volunteer, an expert cake decorator, a property manager and was also active in her sorority. Her only weakness, according to family members, was her notorious tardiness.

Russell is survived by her former husband, Stanton Axline; her brother, David Russell; her son, Thomas Axline; her daughter, Sheryl Axline; and four grandchildren ranging in age from 18 months to 20 years old. A memorial service was held June 30 at the Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto.

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