Clara Mildred Drake

Clara Mildred Drake, 91, of Longmont passed away April 9, 2017 at Spring Creek Health Care Center in Fort Collins, CO.She was born July 19, 1925 in Comstock, Nebraska to Charles A. and Martha Marie (Anderson) Swanson. Clara graduated from Ansley High School in Ansley, Nebraska. Following graduation she began her teaching career which lasted for several years. She taught in several schools in Custer County.On June 4, 1950 she married Charles L. Drake in Broken Bow, Nebraska. They moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1964 and to Longmont in 1965.In Longmont she worked with Charlie at Miller Trucking Company until they began Drake Distributing, which they owned and operated.Clara was a member of New Creation Church. A few years after the death of her husband Clara recognized the need for a support group for widows and began the God's Special Ladies group at New Creation. She was also active in the Soaring Eagles ministry.One of her favorite pass times was baking. Clara also enjoyed painting, sewing, gardening and traveling.She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Charlie in 1984.Clara is survived by her children Kenny Drake (Rhonda), Penny Carlson (Alan), Kathy Halterman (Gerald), Steven Drake (Starla) and Julie Carlson (Rick); siblings Helen Pirnie, Carl Swanson, Alice Pirnie and Loran Swanson; 17 grandchildren “ Lenny, Paul (Melissa), Kyle and Stephanie; Joshua (Melissa), Dustin (Jennifer) and Derek; Zach, Jacob (Julie) and Jeremiah (Jennifer); Janelle (Gregory), Phillip (Heather) and Elora; Candace (Ken), Kristel (Isaac); Rikki and Samuel; 18 great grandchildren “ Etta Ruby, Lennox, Piper, Allison, Alex, Alexis, Alan, Alonso, Annie, Willow, Bella, Cale, Ph nyx, Rose, Madisyn, Braxton, Olivia and Noah.Clara's family would like to express their gratitude to the loving staff at Spring Creek Nursing Home.Visitation will be from 4:30 “ 6:30 PM, Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, April 14 at Summit Foursquare Church, 703 17th Ave., Longmont. Interment at Foothills Gardens of Memory. Memorial contributions can be made to New Creation Church or River of Life Fellowship. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.