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Thelma Lea Drake November 8, 1939 – April 22, 2010

  Thelma Lea Drake, daughter of Leonard and Elsie (Scott) Maudlin, was born November 8, 1939 near Allendale, Missouri. Thelma graduated from Kellerton high school. On July 22, 1960, she was united in marriage to Merl E. Drake in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Thelma was a devoted farm wife and mother. She also worked at the Mount Ayr school and Tingley meal site. She liked to garden and raise flowers. Thelma took pleasure in feeding and watching the many birds at her farm home. Most importantly, Thelma loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Thelma passed away on April 22, 2010 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Elvis ‘Bud’ Maudlin; two sisters, Nellie Bethel and Linda Fletchall, and two brothers-in-law, Fred Fletchall and Gordon Owens.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Merl of Mount Ayr, Iowa; son, Scott Drake of Mount Ayr, Iowa; daughter, Vickie Lowrey of Indianola, Iowa; five grandchildren, Chad Drake, Brittney Drake, Nathan Drake, Curt Vanderflught and Luke Vanderflught; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Luella Barker and husband Ralph of Charles City, Iowa and Retha Owens of Leon, Iowa, and other relatives and friends. 

A memorial fund has been established in her name to be decided later. Arrangements were by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Graveside services were held at Lotts Grove Cemetery west of Hatfield, Missouri on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 with Rev. Rick Hawkins officiating.

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