Drake, Edward Eugene 1918-2009

DRAKE, LEPPER, MC NERNEY, FRERICHS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/21/2009 at 15:29:01

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, September 21, 2009

Edward Drake, 91, of Le Mars, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Edward Eugene Drake was born Sept. 5, 1918, at Eldon, Iowa, the son of Edward F. and Lucy (Lepper) Drake McNerney. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Chatsworth.

Ed was united in marriage to Mildred Frerichs Nov. 25, 1937, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township, rural Akron.

Ed and Mildred had farmed in the Sioux City, Chatsworth, Akron, and Hawarden areas until 1971 when they moved to Le Mars. He then worked for Lehmann Construction of Akron for several years. He later worked at Walmart assembling bicycles until he was 80 years young.

He was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church where in the past he had served as president of the congregation, deacon, and previous call committees.

Ed enjoyed woodworking by making toys and several decorative inlay projects through the years.

Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Mildred of Le Mars; four daughters: Marilyn Neyens and her husband Melvin of Le Mars, Marlus Mammen of Hinton, Linda Rodriguez of Lancaster, Calif., and Vicki Willer and her husband Darrell of Oshkosh, Wis.; 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Floyd Drake and a brother in infancy; a son-in-law Maynard Mammen, and a great-grandchild.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township, rural Akron, with the Rev. Sarah Nye officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation was after 3 p.m. Sunday, at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the family present to greet friends after 5:30 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. Prayer Service. Visitation continued at the church Monday from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers were Roger Neyens, Tony Neyens, Brenda Pierce, Kory Mammen, Kelli Engel, Todd Willer, Chad Willer, and Michael Rodriguez.