Willa Ann Drake, 73, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at her home after a courageous 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the church. The Reverend Susan Bantz will officiate. A private burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Willa was born on October 8, 1951, in Iowa City, the daughter of Robert Willard and Betty Jane Stratton Stinson. She married the love of her life, Rick Drake on June 26th, 1993, in Muscatine at Grace Lutheran Church, and together they had 5 children.
Willa graduated from Muscatine High School, earned her bachelor’s degree from Teikyo Marycrest University, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Iowa in social work. Willa was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She was a longtime member of the American Legion and of the Muscatine Newcomers Group.
Willa loved the outdoors, horses, fishing, being at the family pond, and traveling all over the world. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren and family, and she was looking forward to her newest grandchild expected in July. Willa cherished many life-long friendships.
Willa is survived by her husband, Rick; their children, Bert Green Sr., Jessica (Rob) Drake-Metzger, Jeremy Drake, Shawn (Seth) Manley, and Kelsie (Mick Ridgway) Schubick; 14 grandchildren: Bert Jr., Breanna, Brian, Holly, Nick, Carter, Tommy, Madeleine, Braedyn, Emmery, Halley, Harper, Hudson, and one expected in July; siblings, Robert Stinson, Kathy (Randy) Adams, Wynne (Jeff) Harsch, Gail (Steve) Lee, and Lisa (Mike) Fry; several nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Cheryll (George) Ryder.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Becky Jo; special aunt, Maxine Atwood; father-in-law, Senator Richard F. Drake; and mother-in-law, Shirley Jean Drake.
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