Bernice Madeline Drake

TRAVERSE CITY- Bernice Madeline (Berg) Drake, 95, of Traverse City, passed away early Saturday morning at Grand Traverse Pavilions after living a long, beautiful life filled with family, faith, and friends.

Born March 19, 1920 on the 115 acre family farm located on the West Traverse Bay where M-22 and East Shady Lane join in Bingham Township, Michigan. She was the 9th of 12 children born to Leonard and Charlotte Berg, both German immigrants.

Bernice attended Lee's Bay one room schoolhouse in Bingham Township, Leelanau County. She received her high school diploma from Traverse City High School in 1941. She attended nursing school at The State Hospital then worked in private practice with Dr. Thirlby, at Munson Medical Center, and Traverse City State Hospital from where she retired.

On June 19, 1942 Bernice married the love of her life, Robert G. "Bob" Drake of Traverse City. They were happily married for 58 years. Together they enjoyed staying connected to friends from high school at, golfing, and being active in their church, Asbury United Methodist (now called Traverse Bay United Methodist). Bob and Bernice spent 18 winters together snowbirding in Gulf Shores, AL. She was active in TOPS for over 20 years. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, exercising and playing cards.

Bernice was preceded in death by her loving husband Robert, son David Drake, and daughter Debra Gray, parents, Leonard and Charlotte, brothers Walter, Kenneth, Alfred, Leslie, Harold, Karl, Leonard, and Donald, sisters Martha Kunold, Johanna Boynton, and Kathryn Bellaw.

She is survived by her daughter, Johanna (Jon) Gallegos, grandsons Micah (Rebecca) Gallegos and Justin (Jenna) French both of Traverse City, Malachi (Amy) Gallegos of Howell, Michigan and Zac (Sara) Gallegos of Linden, Michigan, daughter-in-law Karen and grandson Kyle Drake of Cedar, Michigan and grandchildren John (Rachel) O'Heren of Ludington and Jacob (Jessica Garcia) Gray and Samantha (Rhodney II) Tyler both of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Cassandra Gray of Grand Rapids. She has 21 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who adored her.

Bernice spent her life loving and serving those around her. As a nurse she served her community, and as a member she served her church faithfully for years and years. But her greatest gifts of service were bestowed upon her family. She enjoyed making homemade goodies for her grandchildren when they came into town to visit, never missed sending a birthday card, and always had a kind word of encouragement to share. She delighted in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with a visitation beginning at 10am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to LOCO Ministries, PO BOX 2356, Traverse City, MI 49684, a cause that was very close to Bernice's heart. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkoff Funeral Home, Traverse City, MI.