Albert L. Drake

Albert Lee Drake was born on June 13, 1913 to Willis Henry and Mary Gertrude Drake on a farm northwest of Kellerton, IA. He is the younger brother of Loren Drake. Albert attended Jackson Hill country school near his home. It is now restored on the Ringgold County fairgrounds. He graduated at age 16 from Kellerton High School in 1930. He farmed with his dad at home until June 24, 1933 when he married Alberta Hall. To this union were born 2 children; Dennis Lee in 1938 and Carolyn Louise in 1942. They lived on several farms in the Kellerton area until 1941 when they moved to a farm that they purchased in Middle Fork Township south of Mount Ayr. They lived there almost 30 years before moving to Webster City for 3 years. They returned to Mount Ayr where he lived the remainder of his life. He and Alberta were privileged to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. After Alberta passed away on Sept. 5, 2003, Albert moved into the Clearview Estates for the next 4 years and the last 2 months, Albert has been a resident of Clearview Homes. He passed away there on November 26, 2007. Albert greatly enjoyed the large gatherings of friends and family at his 91st, 92nd, 93rd, and 94th birthday open houses. Albert was baptized in his farm pond in 1946 and became a member of the Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church. In 1950, they moved their membership to the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr where he regularly attended Sunday school and church; was a deacon and an elder; served as a Sunday school superintendent and chairman of the board; helped with bereavement dinners; and taught Sunday school at the church and at Clearview Home for many years. The way he lived his life reflected his strong faith in God. Albert was elected Township Assessor in 1943 and then became a field assessor in 1946. From 1958 to 1967, he was the County Auditor and then audited county courthouses for the State Auditor for 10 years. He served on Middle Fork School Board and as a Middle Fork trustee. He was elected mayor of Mount Ayr in 1977, serving for 9 years. He was a member of the Compensation Board, serving as chairman for 14 years until 2001, when his health began to fail. Albert worked with the American Cancer Society for several years and was chairman for 3 years. He worked with the Red Cross and was treasurer for many years. He donated over 5 gallons of blood to the blood bank before 1967 when he was no longer eligible to give because of health reasons. He and Alberta were responsible for the Bingo activities at Clearview Home for 25 years and both served on the Care Review Committee for over 30 years. At Clearview Estates, he read weekly to the residents from his large collection of devotional, humorous, and inspirational articles. For many years, he supported children living in poverty through Christian Children's Fund, donating almost $17,000.00 for their care. He will be remembered as a generous person who gave willingly and quietly to others in his community and to national/international charities. Albert was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. Surviving are his son Dennis Drake and wife Karen of Omaha, NE and his daughter Carolyn Scoville of Mount Ayr; grandchildren Scott Labenz of Davenport, IA, Jenny Drake of Omaha, Michelle and husband Jon Hruska of Omaha, and Skeet Scoville of Albany, NY; 3 great grandchildren Debbie Scoville of Florida and Andy and Jay Scoville of Albany, NY; brother Loren Drake of Tingley, IA; other relatives and friends. A memorial fund has been established to the Mount Ayr Public Library.