In memory of Charter Member
ODESSA ISABELLE DRAKE
Odessa Drake, 88, of Anita, IA, former resident of Griswold, IA, dies Wednesday afternoon, January 21, 2004 at the Colonial Manor
Nursing Home in Anita where she had been a resident for the last 13 months.
Odessa Isabelle Cable was born at Griswold, IA on July 28, 1915, the daughter of Harry and Goldie Leah (Barnes) Cable. She graduated
from Griswold High School in 1932, took Normal Training and taught in country schools.
On May 22, 1934 she married Marvin Robert Drake at Council Bluffs, IA.
They farmed at Walnut for 15 years and then returned to Griswold and operated a John Deere Implement dealership from 1950 to 1957. She
gave ceramic lessons, worked in a dress shop and worked several years at the World Art Craft store in Atlantic. In 1972, she and Bob worked as custodians for the Griswold Community Schools until Bob’s death on January 1, 1984.
Odessa was a lifelong member of the Griswold United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of and past-president of Chapter GL, PEO.
Sisterhood, member of the Friday Club, and was a Charter member of the Walnut Genealogy Society of Walnut, IA. She was a “genealogy buff” spending countless hours researching for her and others.
Survivors include her daughter Pricilla Gray and her husband Robert of Carlisle, IA, and her son Marvin R. Drake, Jr. and his wife Ramona of Woodbury, MN. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Robert Gray, Jr. and his wife Jill and their children Robert III and Joelle; Roger Gray and his wife Rosemarie and their children Matthew and Tara; Marvin R. Drake III and his wife Nancy and their sons Marvin IV, and Andrew; Mark Drake; and Diana Carlson and her husband Joel and their children Alix and Erik. Also surviving is one sister Phyllis Steffen and her husband Calvin of Griswold.
Preceding Odessa in death were her parents, her husband, two brothers Furnis Cable and Curtis in infancy and one sister May Delle Buss.
Funeral service was held at the Griswold United Methodist Church, Griswold, IA on Saturday, January 24, 2004 with Pastor Leila Blackburn officiating.
Organist was Doris Rieken playing “Go Rest High On that Mountain,” “I Won’t Have To Cross Jordan Alone,” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
Bearers were Larry Whiley, Paul Steffen, Jim Albright, Stanley Krisinger, Chuck Rieken and John Jennings. Honorary Bearers were Ross Armentrout and Elton Lembke.
Interment was at the Griswold Cemetery in Griswold, IA.