A Celebration of Life for Illene (Huffman) Drake will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Kearney, Nebraska. A graveside service dedication will immediately follow at the Box Elder Cemetery in Cumro, Nebraska (near Mason City, Nebraska).
The service will be streamed via Zoom.
Illene (Huffman) Drake, 88 years of age, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, January 28, 2024. Illene was born on July 26, 1935 in Custer County, Nebraska, near Cumro, to Francis A. and Ethel Rose (Shaw) Huffman. Her family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for two years. She skipped kindergarten and went straight to 1st grade because “[she] could tie her shoes and count to ten.” Illene had a strong, confident personality. She later recalled how tough she was stating that she could “beat up all the boys on the block.” Her family returned to Nebraska where she continued her primary education and later graduated from Ansley High School in 1953. Illene attended college in Kearney where she took shorthand, accounting, and other business classes. She was proud to be the only girl in her accounting class.
On June 23, 1956, she married her high school sweetheart, Rollie Drake, on a weekend pass. Following Rollie’s honorable discharge from the United States Army, the couple lived in Kearney. Illene supported the couple financially by working at the Federal Land Bank while Rollie attended Nebraska State Teachers College. After graduation, they moved to Axtell, Nebraska where Rollie taught at the Axtell High School. This is when they were blessed with their daughter, Stephanie.
In 1973, Illene and Rollie moved to Brighton, Colorado where they purchased a Coast-to-Coast Hardware store. They had many great memories running this store. Illene returned to banking in Brighton at the Platte Valley Bank after the store was sold and Rollie built homes there. Because of their love for Stephanie and wanting the best place to raise her, the family returned to Axtell, Nebraska. Illene worked at The Kearney State Bank, The Platte Valley State Bank and Trust Company, and was the Vice President of the Mortgage Loan Department at First National Bank of Omaha in Kearney. Illene made thousands of home loans to people in the Kearney area. She felt that this was her mission in life and the service she performed was deeply fulfilling. She helped people capture the American dream and knew that purchasing a home is the largest investment that most people make.
The couple retired and loved living on a small acreage, which was formerly homesteaded by the Nyquist family. Illene enjoyed gardening, sewing, and sending greeting cards to many friends and family. Illene and Rollie both loved camping with their fifth wheel (even as close as Fort Kearny). Illene prioritized researching her genealogy and learning about where she came from. Her thorough, deep knowledge of family ancestors has been passed on to the next generation and now cherished by Steph and her children.
Illene and Rollie moved to Lincoln in February of 2023 to be near Stephanie and her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rollie, on March 25, 2023. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Francis A. and Ethel Rose (Shaw) Huffman; brother, Ivyl Huffman; and nephew, Edward Huffman.
Illene’s role as a grandmother brought immense joy to her life. She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Waite (spouse Jeff) of Lincoln; sister-in-law, JoAnn Huffman of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Larry Drake of Minnesota; niece, Sandra Huffman of Lincoln; grandchildren: Joel Waite (spouse Shelby) of Mesa, AZ; Lindsay Holm (spouse David) of Douglas, WY; Jared Waite (spouse Jocelyn) of Lincoln; and Alyssa Christensen (spouse Ander) of Lincoln, and eight great-grandchildren; along with other family members and many friends.
Illene will be dearly missed, especially by her loving family. In her memory, let us celebrate a life well-lived and the legacy of love and strength she leaves behind.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024, one hour prior to her Celebration of Life. Memorials are suggested to the family, to be designated later. Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.