Velma Maxine Clausen Drake

Velma Maxine Clausen Drake, age 94, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, passed away peacefully March 18, 2017 at her home in Mesa, Arizona. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona where she will rest with her husband, Robert L. Drake. A Memorial Service will be held at Mariposa Gardens memorial Park, 400 S. Power Road, Mesa 85206 at 12:00 p.m. July 18th to celebrate Velma Drake's life. Light refreshments will follow the service.

Velma was born October 6, 1922 in Clark, South Dakota to Ernest and Emma (Stanley) Clausen, the eighth of thirteen children. She graduated from Clark High School, Class of 1940. After high school, she moved to California to join her sister Viola. The two worked as waitresses in a hotel coffee shop where she was to meet her future husband.

Velma married Robert (Bob) L. Drake in 1945 in Long Beach, California. They were happily married for 72 years and last October they renewed their marriage vows. They had three children, Diana, Donna Lea, and Bob W. Drake. Bob was a caregiver to Velma for ten years after she suffered a stroke. Throughout their marriage they enjoyed traveling with friends and family, camping, fishing, and golfing. Velma enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, painting, as well as creating craft projects. She was an avid bowler, playing on leagues wherever they lived. She volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader who was ready to give it up when mountain lion tracks were found outside the tents on a camping trip to the mountains. She didn't quit though, but put all the little scouts in the car and headed for civilization. Family and friends loved all the amusing anecdotes she told over the years. Velma attended Presbyterian and Community churches. She professed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior six years ago. she was a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker. Although the family lived in numerous locations due to Bob's employment, she was always able to make a house "a home" that was pleasing to all.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Emma Clausen, her brothers henry, Elmer, Ernest II, Ferdinand, Walter, Donald, Dale, and Howard; her sisters Viola Million, Leona Dunbar, and Evelyn Garcia; her nephew James Johnson and niece Shirley Johnson Taylor.

Velma is survived by her loving husband Robert L. Drake of Mesa; her daughters Diana M. Romell (William) of Mesa and Donna Lea Miller (John) of San Jose; her son Robert W. Drake (Donna) of Mesa; her brother Edwin Clausen (Beverly) of Clark, South Dakota; her nieces Susan Drake of Huntington Beach, California and Colleen Tannahill (Blake) of Cochrane, Alberta, Canada and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Velma is also survived by her seventeen grandchildren: Tami Pena Campos Renteria, Chris Miller (Missi), Cyndi Romell Eppler, Vince Romell (Sharee), Amanda Drake Vaia (Dino), Jocelyn Drake Reed (Eric), Kristen Drake Lundeen (David), Maureen Plante, Erin Scheid Thoms (Will), Jordan Drake, Manny Drake, Felix Drake, Mariah Drake, Karina Drake, Kaylene Drake, Michael Drake, and Ellie Drake; and twenty-two great-grandchildren: Alex Campos, Anthony Campos, Gia Renteria, Melody Miller, Ryan Miller, Caitlyn Romell, Hannah Romell, Zane Youker (step-great-grandson), Wesley Reed, Colin Reed, Eric Reed, Brady Reed, Nicolaus Lundeen, Gabby Lundeen, John Lundeen, Sofie Lundeen, Emelie Lundeen, Owen Lundeen, Tatum Lundeen, Maddie Thoms, Zoey Thoms, and Gio Thoms.