A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Milford, with Pastor Steve Stork officiating. No visitation or viewing. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. A luncheon is to follow in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be directed in care of the family.
Kenneth Delbert Drake was born May 22, 1938, in Culbertson, Nebraska to Francis and Nadine (Polson) Drake and passed away Saturday, October 12, 2019, at Tabatha of Crete in Crete at the age 81.
As a young boy, Ken attended Palisade Public School and graduated from Waneta High School with the class of 1956. Ken was blessed with height and after his schooling played semi-pro basketball in McCook for a period of time. He was united in marriage to Janet Hoschler at St John’s Lutheran Church in Ogallala. To this union five children were born: Cynthia, Douglas, Duane, Dean and Darin. Together they resided in Lincoln where Ken was employed with various trucking companies, including CNR, Seward Motor Freight and Dahlsten Trucking, all for over 57 years, compiling over 5 million miles. He retired from trucking at the age of 62, but went on to work part-time hauling farm chemicals for Winfield in Seward. Ken was blessed with a second marriage to Dala Mannschreck-Baier on June 6, 1988 in Seward. Ken enjoyed to read, especially western novels and loved feeding birds and anticipating the arrival of butterflies. Ken's real passion was riding and tending to horses. Ken recently attended his 60th high school reunion where he enjoyed visiting with old classmates. Ken and Dala moved to Milford in 1992. He was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and was also proud to participate in the Seward County Sheriff’s Posse.
Survivors include his wife, Dala, Milford, children and spouses, Cynthia and Steve Vance, Gun Barrel, TX, Doug and Jill Drake, Milford, Duane Drake, Lincoln, Dean and Laine Drake, Des Moines, IA, Darin Drake of Lincoln; step-children, Stacie and Donald Gorham, Leavenworth, KS, Larry Baier, of Norton, KS, 10 grandchildren, two step-granddaughters, 15 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant sister, a brother-in-law, Gerald Mannschreck, sister-in-law, Mary Lou Lemka.
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