Marian Grace (Parde) Drake, 95, Beatrice died Monday, April 21, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society of Beatrice. She was born on October 30, 1929, on a farm near Adams to Heye and Emma (Harms) Parde. On November 24, 1929, she was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell. She was raised on a farm and attended Mount Pleasant District 100 country school through the 8th grade and attended Adams High School for one and half years. She was confirmed on March 25, 1945, by Rev. Carl Schutle at the American Lutheran Church in Adams. After moving to a farm north of Beatrice she graduated from Beatrice High School in 1947. Marian worked at Swift Co. and Hested Store in Beatrice. She married Lloyd Drake on August 4, 1951, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice by Rev. John Strong and four children were born to this union, Larry, Dennis, Marilyn and Galen. She lived in many different places Fort Campbell, KY, Fayetteville, NC, Pirmasens and Schwabach Germany, Pickrell, NE and Lawton, OK during her husband’s military career. She was always active in the church wherever they lived.

Marian graduated from LPN school in 1972 and remained an active nurse for 32 years until retiring in 2004. Upon Her husband’s retirement from the Army in 1973, they moved to Beatrice. She became an active member at St. John Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school, a Stephen minister, church council member, President of the WELCA and a past President and member of Sarah Rachel Circle, Evangelism Committee and Sister Parish, taking several trips to El Paso, Texas in 1996 and the years to follow in Mississippi. Marian was a member of the Garden Club, Contented Gals Extension Club, United Church Women and past member of the Bargain Box. Her church and her family were the treasures of her life. She enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening, sewing, reading and helping others.

                Survivors include her sons, Larry (Margaret) Drake of Omaha, Dennis (Elaine) Drake of Lawton, OK and Galen (Sonya) Drake of Climax Springs, MO; daughter, Marilyn Ditmars of Washington, KS; 12 grandchildren, Nathan (Patricia) Drake of Rosamond CA, Kristi Drake of Omaha, Sara Potey of Omaha, Misti (Rodney) Hively of Lawton, OK, Lorri (Michael) Long of Tuttle, OK, Crystal Drake of Baytown, TX, Daniel (Tina) Ditmars of Washington, KS, Mark Ditmars of Washington, KS, Jonathan Ditmars of Washington, KS, Andrew Ditmars of Washington, KS and Kelsey (Justin) Moore of Topeka, KS and Austin (Mishelle) Drake of Parkville, MO; ten great-grandchildren, Chloe (Ian) Kane, Hannah Lively, Savannah Long, Kayleigh Drake, Bryan and Rilynn Drake, Ryan and Olivia Ditmars, Ariella Potey, Ryker Kraft; sister, Beverly Weiss; brother, Roger (Corliss) Parde. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Drake (2017); parents, Heye and Emma Parde; grandson, Garrett Drake; brothers, Edwin (Velma) Parde, Norman Parde; sisters, Carolyn (Tom) Iwand, Doris (Arnold) Jurgens; brothers-in-law, Dean (Beverly) Drumond, Ron Weiss.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church of Beatrice with Rev. Dr. Renae Koehler officiating. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page.  A family prayer service will be held at 9:45 A.M. on Friday at the church. Interment will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery of rural Pickrell.  The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home on Thursday from noon until 8:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family for future designation.  www.foxfuneralhome.net   Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice