Darlene Mae Drake was born in Shetek Township (near Currie) Murray County, Minnesota on November 21, 1937. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Olga (Grau) Drake. She was baptized at her Grandmother Grau's home in Tracy and later was confirmed at the Tracy Methodist Church by Rev. Hellis Slaymaker. Darlene grew up in Tracy, Minnesota, where she attended Tracy Schools and graduated from the Tracy High School in 1957. Darlene and her sister Gladys moved to Clarkfield and for several years Darlene lived with many families and cared for the children. Following that she went to work for Irene Kise at the Roxy Cafe. She became the owner of the Cafe on December 1, 1969. She continued at the Cafe until August 1992, when it closed due to conditions caused by the June tornado. She made many friends during her years at the cafe. Darlene always loved children and they loved her in return. For the past eight years she has lived at Valhalla Apartments. She enjoyed playing cards and associating with her many friends there, especially since she had not been working at the cafe. She was a member of the Clarkfield United Methodist Church and also enjoyed her membership in the Clarkfield Care Center Auxiliary. Darlene passed away, unexpectedly, at her home in Clarkfield on April 14, 1993, at the age of 55 years. She is survived by her sister, Gladys and husband Curtis Leppke of rural Boyd; her brother, Marvin Drake and his wife Ardys of Tracy, Minnesota; aunt Ann Grau of Bourbonnais, Illinois; five nieces, seven nephews; and 13 great nieces and nephews; cousins, and many friends. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Dorothy Drake and Emma Griffiths; and one niece and nephew. Blessed be her memory. Funeral Service: Monday, April 19, 1993, 2:00 p.m., Clarkfield United Methodist Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiant: Pastor Wayne Shelton Organist: Karen Donner Soloist: Virginia Hagg "In the Garden", "How Great Thou Art" Honorary Casketbearers: Donna Drake, Brent Miller, Mary Miller, Cynthia Nybo, LaVena Schultz, Alice Williams, Great Nieces and Great Nephews Casketbearers: Myron Drake, Scott Drake, Tim Drake, Evan Griffiths, Randall Leppke, Larry Schultz Final Resting Place: Tracy City Cemetery, Tracy, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota