Karla Drake

KARLA DRAKE

Florence, MA — Born in North Newton, Kansas on September 22, 1948, Karla passed away at home surrounded by loving family on August 25th, 2021.

She was predeceased by her parents, Hilda (Wiebe) Krahn and Dr. Cornelius Krahn. She is survived by her husband, David Drake, her daughter, Johanna Kuhn-Osius and her husband Himanshu Singh and their son, Ishir Osius Singh of New York City, her daughter Marie Kuhn-Osius of Rennes, France, and by David's three children, Christian Drake of Hatfield, Benjamin Drake of Whately, and Julia Davenport-Drake and her husband Stephen Davenport-Drake of Indianapolis, Indiana.

She is also survived by her two loving sisters, Marianne Miller of North Newton, Kansas and Cornelia Krahn of Boulder, Colorado and their spouses, Stanley Miller and Kent Olson, as well as by her beloved extended family including nieces, nephews and cousins.

Karla graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, in 1970, and married Eckhard Kuhn-Osius the same year. She received a Master's Degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1973. Karla taught school in Boulder and later coordinated the UC-Boulder Year Abroad Program in Regensburg, Germany. Later, after moving to Princeton, New Jersey, Karla worked for Educational Testing Service and was proud of her work on the national English Achievement Tests. After moving to New York City, Karla was honored to teach English and German and work in college guidance at the Bronx High School of Science for many years; she was constantly pleased to be part of such a wonderful school.

Karla married David in July, 2001, after an engagement that began in a gondola under a full moon in the Grand Canal of Venice. In the Fall of 2001, Karla began the second half of her teaching career as an 11th and 12th grade English teacher, and a Class Advisor, at Longmeadow High School. She was in love with her students and worked tirelessly every evening and weekend to help them excel in their writing and to expand their appreciation of literature. She retired from teaching in June, 2020.

Karla loved to read, and she loved to talk with friends who loved to read as widely as she did. She also loved walking and long bicycle rides throughout the Valley and far beyond. She loved taking her blue kayak "Damselfly" into the farthest quiet reaches of Cape Cod's tidal rivers and marshes. And above all, she loved to travel, a love given to her by her parents, and she traveled widely throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia.

The family is grateful to the staff at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and to the staff of the Cooley-Dickinson VNA and Hospice Center.

Calling hours for Karla will be at CZELUSNIAK FUNERAL HOME, 173 North St. in Northampton, on Thursday September 2nd from 4-7 PM. A memorial service will be held at 10:45 AM on Saturday September 4 at Florence Congregational Church. Burial in Spring Grove Cemetery will be private and held at the convenience of the family. By order of the Northampton Board of Health, all guests must wear masks. For online condolences, please visit Czelusniakfuneralhome.com.