Rollie Drake

A Celebration of life for Rollie G. Drake will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Jean Clayton officiating.  Graveside Service will be Tuesday morning, October 10, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Box Elder Cemetery, Cumro, Nebraska (near Mason City, Nebraska).

The service will be streamed via zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87363809106?pwd=sCmel37bHvp5MffhsnfReyqmoo7K6y.1

Rollie Gene Drake, 87, passed away peacefully March 25, 2023, at the Tabitha Nursing Home in Lincoln after suffering from a fall at his home in Lincoln.

Rollie was born in Broken Bow, Nebraska, on October 10, 1935, to Roland and Dorothy (Archer) Drake.  He attended Ansley High School; graduated with the Class of 1954.  After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and spent two years in Germany.  On a weekend pass, he married his high school sweetheart, Illene Huffman, on June 23, 1956. He was honorably discharged on February 11, 1958.

Upon returning home, he entered college and earned a Master's Degree in Education.  He taught at Axtell High School for 12 years.  Their daughter, Stephanie, was born during that time.

Rollie was a devoted teacher. He was a gentle, talented, and kind-hearted man. Living life the way Jesus taught was most important to him.

Rollie had a gift of being able to fix anything.  His life-long love though, was in construction.  He built several houses in Nebraska and Colorado before retiring and moving to Lincoln.

Rollie was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Francis and Ethel (Shaw) Huffman; two brothers: James, Sherril, and two infant brothers, Richard and Ardell; brother-in-law, Ivyl Huffman; and his nephew, Edward Huffman.

He leaves to celebrate his life, Illene; his daughter, Stephanie Waite (spouse Jeff) of Lincoln; brother, Larry Drake of Minnesota; sister-in-law, JoAnn Huffman of Lincoln; 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.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.

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.