Betty I. Drake

80 Year Resident of Manhattan Beach

On February 18, Betty Irene Drake, Wife of Wilmer L. Drake, passed away at a local hospital. Born at La Crosse, Kansas on February 19, 1919 to Raymond L. and Ida B. (Solomon) Reser.

In 1922 her family moved to California and settled in Manhattan Beach. After graduating from school she was employed as a commercial artist specializing in fashion illustration. On April 12, 1943 she was united in marriage to Manhattan Beach native, Wilmer Drake at Walla Walla, Washington.

She was descended from colonial, revolutionary, and pioneer stock; the founding families of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. One of her ancestors, Annie Bradstreet became, in the 1600’s, America’s first female author. In addition, she was descended from three colonial governors including Dr. Jean de la Montayne, founder of Albany, New York.

Mrs. Drake had nine ancestors who fought in the American Revolution, the most notable being Capt. Johannes Van Etten, who in addition to commanding Ft. Hynshaw, was a close friend and confidant of Benjamin Franklin.

After the revolution her ancestors were on the vanguard of the westward movement. They were in Ohio by 1816, in Illinois by 1833, and in Kansas by 1865; finally moving to California in 1922.

Mrs. Drake is survived by her husband Wilmer, of Manhattan Beach; three sons, Hon. Raymond of Colorado, Larry of Torrance, Don of Arizona; a daughter, Diane of Manhattan Beach; four grandchildren; and several cousins.

She was a lifelong artist and a master duplicate bridge player. She also had a strong passion for Yoga and enjoyed teaching this art to others.

Services will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at 11:00 AM at WHITE AND DAY MORTUARY, 3215 Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Interment will follow at Inglewood Park Cemetery.