Helen Holmes Drake - Winterset

Helen M. Holmes Drake was born April 21, 1912 in Scott Township, Madison County. She was the first of six children born to Fred and Agnes Elizabeth (Picken) Holmes. She attended country school through 8th grade, and graduated from Winterset High School, class of 1930. During her high school years, she took Normal Training and following graduation, she taught country school at Webster No 6, also know as Grub school. On September 14, 1931 she was united in marriage to Eugene Drake at Seward, Nebraska. They made their home in Winterset. Although they resided in several other States and locations, family and community connections always brought them home to Winterset, where they were long time residents. Helen was a beloved wife, mother and sister and a friend to all who knew her. She was a cherished and devoted mother raising two children with her husband, Gene. She was a great cook and homemaker, enjoyed sewing and was an excellent seamstress. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed crocheting and other handwork and loved to travel. After her children graduated from high school and left for college, Helen worked for several years as a bookkeeper and clerk at Grahams store in Winterset. She and her husband moved to their farm in Webster Township in 1957 and Helen worked as a full partner with Gene in their farming and livestock operation which they continued until the time of his death in 1983. Helen loved the farm, enjoyed nature, was an avid bird watcher and delighted in walks in the timber and wild flower searches. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Sunshine Garden Club, a lifetime member of the Madison County Historical Society, where she also worked as volunteer for several years. She also enjoyed membership in the Madison County Genealogical Society and was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Winterset Chapter #180. Helen is survived by her daughter, Ann Drake of Winterset; brothers, Herbert Holmes of Denison, Texas and Michael (Ilene) Holmes of Winterset; sister, Marjorie Emerson of Newton, Iowa; grandchildren, Andrew Drake of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Jill Rice of Gilbert, Arizona; great grandchildren, Cory Rice and Nichole Rice; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Agnes Holmes; husband, E. Eugene Drake; son, Dr. Duane H. Drake; brother, Eugene Fredrick Holmes; and sister, Lucille Gray. Helen, age 101, died Monday, December 30, 2013, at Care Center North in Winterset. A funeral service will be held 10:30 AM on Friday, January 3, 2014, at McCalley-Collins Funeral Home in Winterset with Pastor Kevin Blader and Pastor Sue Blader officiating. Friends may call 1 hour prior to service time on Friday. Burial will be in the Winterset Cemetery. Memorials will go to the Winterset Community Educational Foundation or to the senders' choice of charities. Service: 10:30 AM Friday January 3, 2014 McCalley - Collins Funeral Home Winterset Visitation: 1 hour prior to service time on Friday McCalley - Collins Funeral Home Winterset