Ernest Drake

Ernest Vernon Drake, 87, passed away on August 8, 2014.

He was born July 3, 1927, in Somers to Vernon and Anna Keller Drake, the fourth of nine children. At the age of six, the family moved to what was to become the family farm on Whitefish River.

Ernest married Wonita Drake in 1950, and to this union were born three children, Edward Drake (who passed away in childbirth), Shellene Reese and David Drake.

Ernest loved the outdoors, from jobs loading boxcars in Kalispell to construction on the Hungry Horse Dam to working at Montana Saw Service and the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, from which he retired in 1992.

After retirement he went to hauling logs and working with his son David. He had many hobbies, gardening, fishing, and especially enjoyed raising his Hereford cows, along with his trips to Alaska.

Ernest is survived by his wife Wonita Drake; daughter Shellene Reese, of Kalispell; son David Drake and wife Cindy, of Columbia Falls; grandchildren Chad Noziska and Sara Noziska, of Kalispell, Laci Burk and husband Eric, of Kalispell, and Desiree Drake, of Columbia Falls; great grandchildren Shane Noziska, Dalton Leigh, Drake Burk and Brycen Burk, all of Kalispell; and brothers Edwin Drake, of Somers, and Eugene Drake, of Libby.

A celebration of life will be held at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. with urn burial following at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A reception will be held at the Birch Grove Grange Hall following the committal.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Montana Blind and Low Vision Service in honor of his wife Wonita.