Hazel D. Drake, 84

Hazel D. Drake, 84, died Nov. 2, 2019, in her home in Libby of natural causes.

In the fall of 1935, on Oct. 5, Violet and Hallie Helmer were blessed with the birth of their daughter Hazel Del. Having never cared for her middle name, she went by Hazel. She grew up in many different parts of northwest Montana with her family.

Hazel always enjoyed the outdoors and was fond of going for long walks. She loved to sew for herself and for others. Her thirst for knowledge of God was never satisfied. She was always reading and studying her Bible.

Hazel met Gene Drake in 1955 in Troy and after a whirlwind romance they were married on December 3. They lived most of their married lives in Libby, where they acquired many friends over the years. She enjoyed all of her siblings. It did not matter to her if they were blood related or in-laws. She loved all of them equally. She even accepted her daughters-in-law as her own children with love, smiles and understanding.

She went on picnics, camping trips and berry picking expeditions with her family. She even did square dancing and was on a pool league for a while in the ’70s.

Even though Gene and Hazed divorced after many years of marriage, she never quit loving the man who was the father of their four beautiful children. Gene preceded her in death on April 3, 2018. She also was preceded in death by her parents, Violet and Hallie, and two of her siblings: Irene and Homer. She lost two of her grandchildren, Danny and Christopher. She missed them all very much.

Survivors include her two brothers: John and Edna of California, and Kenton and Peggy of Idaho. They also include her four children: Vern and Jo Ann of Libby, Bill and Marge of Nevada; Carol Drake of Libby; and Doug and Julie of Libby. She also will be missed by her grandchildren: Jennifer, Jessica, William, Josh, Bret, Tracie, Tom, Mike, Emily and Chelsea; as well as her 18 great-grandchildren.

Even the hospice nurses loved to come and see her. Even though she was dying, she greeted them with a very warm smile and love in her voice. They all looked forward to their turn to come and check on her.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.