Denise Drager

Denise L. Drager, lovingly known to family and friends as “Pupa” and “Neece,” was born on July 20, 1964, in Cupertino, California, and eventually made Louisville, Kentucky, her home. She passed away on August 16, 2026, after a life filled with laughter, celebration, and an extraordinary amount of love.

At the heart of Denise’s life was her marriage to David, her husband of nearly 42 years and, above all, her best friend. They built a life together through more than four decades side by side—raising a family, laughing endlessly, weathering life’s challenges, and genuinely enjoying being together. Their marriage was a true partnership and friendship, built on love, loyalty, humor, and the comfort of knowing there was always someone beside you who knew you better than anyone else.

Being a mother to Sean and Ashley was one of Denise’s greatest joys. She was incredibly proud of them, celebrated their successes, supported them through the difficult moments, and made sure they always knew how deeply they were loved. Being “Neece” to Hudson and Charlotte was one of the greatest gifts of her life. She adored them, was endlessly proud of them, and found immeasurable joy in simply being their Neece. Nothing meant more to Denise than her family. She loved the family she and David created and took enormous joy in seeing it grow to include Ari Clare, Shea, Hudson, and Charlotte.

If you knew Denise, you knew she loved to make things special. She loved entertaining, setting a beautiful table, cooking a meal, and filling her home with people she loved. The details mattered to her—not because things needed to be perfect, but because making something beautiful was one of the ways she showed people she cared. A gathering at Denise’s house meant good food, a beautifully set table, decorations, plenty of laughter, and probably something with a little sparkle.

She loved Bingo and Bunco nights, a good book, concerts and music, and, perhaps less elegantly, a Taco Bell party pack. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a laugh you could recognize anywhere. Denise loved taking photos—especially if there were props involved—and was always looking for a way to capture a moment and turn it into a memory. She knew the best moments in life were worth remembering, and some of the best memories of Denise are simply of being together and laughing until you cried.

Denise is survived by her beloved husband, David Drager; her son, Sean Drager (Ari Clare); her daughter, Ashley Conway (Shea); her grandchildren, Hudson and Charlotte; and many extended family members and dear friends who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

There is no way to fit an entire life—or an entire person—into a few paragraphs. Denise was a wife, a sister, and best friend, a mom, a Neece, and a treasured friend to so many. Most of all, she was deeply loved.

And she always will be.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Wildwood Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 10, 2026, from 12:00–3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Denise in the way she would have loved most—together, sharing memories, laughter, and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hosparus Health in gratitude for the compassionate care and support provided to Denise and her family.