Lois V Drake

Lois Vinke Drake, age 100, of Audubon, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, September 8, 2025, at the Audubon Friendship Home.

Lois was born on March 26, 1925, on the family farm in Hayes Township, Crawford County, Iowa, to Detlaf and Metha (Joachimsen) Vinke. She was the youngest of five children. Lois often spoke fondly of her childhood, remembering how much she enjoyed gardening with her mother and spending time with her siblings and extended family who lived nearby.

She attended Hayes District #8 country school near Manning, Iowa, and graduated at the top of her class. Lois had a lifelong love of learning and reading. She was especially proud of winning a spelling bee and receiving recognition for her essay writing.

During World War II, Lois worked at an egg drying plant. Later, she moved to Buffalo, New York, where she worked at the lunch counter of the F.W. Woolworth department store. She remembered first hearing the song "White Christmas" while in New York, and it remained one of her favorites.

On July 8, 1952, Lois married Floyd W. Drake at the United Methodist Church in Watertown, South Dakota. They made their home in Watertown for thirteen years and then moved to Gray, Iowa in 1965 and then eventually settled on a farm in Audubon, Iowa. After Floyd’s passing, Lois continued to live on the farm until she moved to the Audubon Friendship Home in 2019.

Lois and Floyd had five children, Greg, Ron, Sue, Ann and Kelli. Lois was a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker. She always kept a large vegetable garden and was known for her excellent cooking and baking. Although she spent most of her time at home, she worked seasonally sorting corn for Garst Seed Company in Coon Rapids. As her children grew up and left home, she began babysitting for families in the community. Many of the children she cared for continued to call her “Grandma” throughout their lives.

Lois enjoyed gardening, reading, playing games and cards, and attending dances at the Five Mile House in Westside and the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. She loved listening to Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride and Danny O’Donnell just to name a few. She was a very creative person, which was evident in her cross-stitching and sewing. Her kindness and attention to detail made every occasion feel special.

Lois is survived by her five children: Greg Drake of Hamlin, Ron Drake and his wife Benita of Menlo, Susan Peterson of Atlantic, Ann Shoemaker and her husband Brian of Polk City, and Kelli Jensen and her husband Rod of Audubon. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, ten step grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, seven step great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her siblings, Delbert, Ralph, Averill, and LuVerne.

Celebration of life reception will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the Nathaniel Hamlin Park & Museum south of Audubon on Hwy 71.

Memorials may be directed to the Friendship Home or the Children's Nest in Audubon in memory of Lois. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon is entrusted with the arrangements for the Drake Family.