John B. Drake

Dear Mrs.Drake & family.



My name is Carmen Sylvester & was John's flight instructor & company pilot for a couple of years when they had the Beech Baron.He was a wonderfull person to work for & I enjoyd working with him.I especially enjoyed the flights to Nevada,MO where one of the daughters was in college. As it gave me time to explore the town. I'm a history nut. I will always remember a story John told me.

He had a Mercedes diesel at the time. One day we left Flying Cloud & were going to Shakopee& really flying down the road. I was impressed at he speed & asked, how many hourse power does thing have?John said about 60 I think, I said only 60? he replied, I think In Germany they have bigger hourses.

I never forgot that one. :-))

Please accept my sincere condolences.

Respectfully, Carmen Sylvester

I was sorry to hear of John's passing. John was very kind and considerate to me, my sisters and my mother during some difficult times. I feel very fortunate to have rekindled our friendship while participating at "dock day" over the past few years.

My condolences to Pat, Kathy, Jeannie, Lolly and Patti -- Thanks to all of you for some wonderful memories!



Jim Wheeler

Pat, I am so very sorry to learn of John's death. May choirs of angels escort him into the nearer presence of Jesus the Lord. I did not know you were back in the diocese. It is good to know you are back home. May God have mercy on you, your children, and the grandchildren. Love, joy, hope, and peace, Mary-Frances

Dear Pat and Family,

Marcy and I were so saddened to hear of John's passing. The sad news brought back a flood of memories from our years as friends and neighbors at Balsam Lake. Whenever anyone wanted to know more about any subject, John always gave us the information we needed. And he always joined in the jokes and performances and pranks that seemed to be ever-present. I feel honored to have grown up around such a wonderful person.

Please accept our deepest sympathy for John's passing. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Betty Hultquist Spiker

We knew John Drake for many years as neighbors to John Hultquist's parents in Balsam Lake, WI.



We always enjoyed his company and loved skiing behind his Chris Craft boat.



He will be missed.

John and Pat and the girls and our entire family spent years as neighbors and friends at Balsam Lake all the way up to the present. We all grew up together as families. He was a bright, fun, knowledgeable man who always brought a different and challenging perspective to everyday life, and he will be truly missed, but always loved, by all. My deepest condolences to Pat, Cathy, Lolly, Jeannie and Patty from our entire family.