Loren Russell Drake July 8, 1909 – August 29, 2011
Loren Russell Drake was born July 8, 1909 to Henry and Gertrude Meanor Drake and departed this life August 29, 2011 at the age of 102.
Loren was educated through eighth grade at Jackson Hill country school. On August 15, 1929, he married Velma Hailey in Brighton, Colorado. To this marriage they were blessed with four children.
Loren farmed in Ringgold and Union counties. He and Velma owned and operated Drake’s Grocery in Kellerton. He worked at the Ringgold County Hospital, Lamoni Nursing Home and drove a bus for the handicapped.
Velma passed away on June 26, 1976 after a long battle with cancer.
He married Minnie Larson in January of 1979. They lived in the Larson home place where he enjoyed helping on the farm. He and Minnie traveled all over the United States. Due to Minnie’s failing health, she moved to Clearview Home. Loren moved to Tingley. He began riding a three-wheeled bicycle all over Tingley. He would ride over two miles almost every day.
He met Pearl May and they became close friends. They enjoyed many hours together playing cards, going to dances, traveling to family functions and going to Tingley and Mount Ayr meal sites.
Loren moved to Clearview Home in Mount Ayr in February of 2007. He roamed the halls and honked his horn that was either attached to his walker or wheel chair. He made many friends there.
Over the years Loren has been able to attend most all of his children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s graduations, weddings, etc.
Loren was preceded in death by his parents; wives; brother, Albert Drake; brothers-in-law, Gerald Hailey and Willard Edgerton, and sisters-in-law, Norma Edgerton, Lola Hailey and Alberta Drake.
He will be sadly missed by his children, Juanita (Donald) Clouse, Harold Drake, Lloyd (Kay) Drake and Tom (Barbara) Drake; grandchildren, Steve Clouse, Mike Drake, Cindy (Rex) Hardie, Debbie Bohn, Penny (Jax) Ingham, Pam (Bobby) Wyatt, Doug (Val) Drake, Greg (Diane) Drake, Joe (Nancy) Drake, Diane (Mark) Funk, Kristi (Terry) Moffitt, Melissa (Blane) Kusterle, Brian (Nicole) Drake and Joshua (Bridgett) Drake; 37 great-grandchildren; 26 great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Pearl May; one brother-in-law, Lowell Hailey, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial fund has been established to the Tingley community building.
Services were conducted at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Thursday, September 1, 2011, with Rex Hardie and Steve Clouse officiating. Musicians were Brian Drake, Josh Drake and Deb Cannon.
Casket bearers were his 14 grandchildren, Steve Clouse, Mike Drake, Doug Drake, Greg Drake, Joe Drake, Brian Drake, Josh Drake, Cindy Hardie, Diane Funk, Pamela Wyatt, Penny Ingham, Debbie Bohn, Kristi Moffitt and Melissa Kusterle.
Loren was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
