In Loving Memory

Rita Drake

Rita Drake, age 83, a longtime Colville resident, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, September, 22, 2021.  Rita was born on July 26, 1938 in Germany to Harry and Martha Fischer.

At a young age, Rita and her family immigrated to America, and while they were originally to arrive at Ellis Island and settle down in the New York City area, chance would bring them to the Metaline Falls Village, where she would begin attending school.  Here, she would meet the love of her life, Melvin Drake, when mutual friends would set them up on a date together, and the two would be wed in July of 1956.

Rita and Melvin would settle down together in Colville, and together they would welcome children BobbieLee and Gene.  While she was raising the kids, she held a few different jobs, including as a babysitter, folding newspapers for The Statesman Examiner, and she sent the majority of her time bussing tables and doing food prep in a local café.  Rita made holidays the best; she loved to go to Locust Grove to hide Easter eggs for the grandchildren, and she always made sure that there was tinsel on the Christmas tree and that everyone got a handmade card.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Martha Fischer; her brother, Harold Ehlers; and her infant granddaughter, BrandyLee.  She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Melvin Drake; her daughter, BobbieLee (Carl) Gleave; her son, Gene Drake; her grandchildren, Brandon Judd, Jesse Gleave, and Josh Gleave; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted in care.