He was born December 28,1939 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Curtis and Blanche Drake. He graduated in 1957 from Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis, and completed two years at the University of Minnesota. In 1958 he married his high school sweetheart, Sandra (Sandi) Moore. They raised their family in Anoka, MN.
He was the Vice President of Ford McNutt Glass Company in Minneapolis for over 20 years, and in 1982 he assumed an executive position at Glass Service Company. In 1988, with his son Tim and their business partner Reed McGinnis, he started Artic Glass Company. He retired in 1995 to follow his dream of living in the woods of northern Minnesota.
Dave and Sandi spent the next 30 years enjoying their 80 acres in Markville, MN. Dave was dedicated to community service as a volunteer firefighter and first responder with the Duxbury Fire Dept. In addition, was an avid hunter and artist. He enjoyed carving duck decoys, oil painting, and he designed and created several stained glass window panels for his church, Zion Lutheran Markville, where he also led a men’s bible study.
Dave is survived by his wife Sandi Drake; daughter, Patti (Dave) Erickson; and son, Tim (Lisa) Drake. Dave was known as Papa to his grandchildren, Gracia (Joe) Schroeder, Josh (Megan) Erickson, Alex and Tyler Drake, and his great grandchildren, Eli and Maddie Schroeder, and Aria and Drake Erickson.
Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Christian Center Elk River, 18912 Twin Lakes Road NW, Elk River, MN on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am with visitation a half hour prior. A reception will immediately follow the service.
Thank you to Stoney River Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice for your loving care during his end of life.
