Dave Drake

David Floyd, son of Joseph and Dorothy (Willenborg) Drake was born on May 21, 1955 in Manning, Iowa. He grew up on a farm south of Coon Rapids where he attended school and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1973. After his graduation, Dave began working in construction and later worked for a meat processing plant in Des Moines. On April 28, 1979 Dave was united in marriage with Donna Anthofer in Des Moines. The family later moved south of Coon Rapids before settling at their home on an acreage south of Bayard. Dave worked for Garst Seeds and in 1995 he started working for Guthrie County driving the road maintainer. Dave loved gathering with family and friends to celebrate holidays and other special events. He had a passion for hunting and fishing and he also thoroughly enjoyed hunting mushrooms. Dave was also a clever jokester and would love to pull funny pranks on those around him. He was a member of the Carroll County Big Bucks Club. In the fall of 1997, Dave was diagnosed with cancer. In the following years, he was an active member of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraiser in Carroll and Guthrie counties where he helped inspire others. Dave lived life to the fullest as he courageously battled the disease. On August 2, 2010 Dave passed away at his home near Bayard at the age of 55 years 2 months and 12 days, in the company of numerous family members. Dave was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, father-in-law Frank Anthofer, brother-in-law Joe Anthofer and a great nephew Eugene Frank Hoffman. Survivors include his wife of 31 years Donna Drake of Bayard; children: Mindi and husband Scott Rotert of Carroll; Daniel Drake and wife Stephanie of Halbur and Brian Drake of Des Moines; grandchildren: Brandon Emerson, Maddison Rotert, Carter Drake, Gage Rotert and Aubrie Drake; siblings: Joseph Drake and wife Barb of Barnard, MO; John Drake of Council Bluffs; Diane and husband Rick Carlson of Mission Viejo, CA; Judy and husband Ray Wittrock of Carroll; Jim Drake and wife Christy of Dedham; Deb and husband Rod Stratton of Des Moines; Donna Drake and Kent Williams of Altoona and Jerry Drake and Karen Sabinske of LaPorte, IN; mother-in-law Anna Anthofer of Coon Rapids; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Celebrant Rev. Michael G. Peters Lector Ann McAlister Mass Servers Pat and Liam McAlister Gift Bearers Carter Drake Aubrie Drake Maddison Rotert Gage Rotert Jill Namanny Tracy Hoffman Ashley Wittrock Music "Amazing Grace" "The Old Rugged Cross" "Wind Beneath My Wings" "How Great Thou Art" Kim Betts, Vocalist Lula Garnes, Organist Casket Bearers Doug Duff Nick Chance Dan Clipperton Andy McAlister Rick Kness Larry Long Honorary Casket Bearers Brandon Emerson Travis Drake Jay Drake Joseph Drake Jason Wittrock Justin Wittrock Kory Williams Kody Williams Kyle Carlson Timothy Carlson