Maureen Kay (Bruni) Drake, 74, 340 Rosewood Drive, in Janesville, died peacefully Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Mercy Hospital.
Maureen Kay Bruni was born March 22, 1935 in Monroe, Wisconsin, the daughter of John H. and Jessie M. (Ward) Bruni. She married Gordon P. Drake on June 15, 1957 in Monroe, WI.
She attended Milton College and received her degree in vocal music in 1957. Maureen played the marimba in the Madison Symphony Orchestra and violin in Milton Choral Union Orchestra. She also taught school in Clinton, WI for one year. Then Maureen and her husband moved to Horicon, WI for five years where he taught chemistry and physics. During this time she was a mother to their three children and a homemaker.
They then moved to Tempe, AZ where her husband attended Arizona State University. And after that moved to Naples, Italy where her husband taught for the Department of Defense.
While in Italy, Maureen worked at the NATO base in a daycare with children of military personnel. This was the start of a life long profession. She worked for Lynn Wood Nursery School and then The Gingerbread House, both in Janesville. She ran a nursery school in their home known as Mrs. Drake's House, for 13 years. She retired in 1994.
Besides her love of children, Maureen also enjoyed the outdoors, backpacking and skiing in the mountains with the family. She enjoyed her flowers, traveling and camping with friends, her bridge clubs and trips to Broadway Shows in Chicago.
She is survived by her husband, Gordon Drake; two sons, Kerry (Sherrie) Drake, Brian (Heidi) Drake of Janesville and one daughter, Laura Logan of Fredonia, WI. Maureen also cherished her one granddaughter, Cassie Drake of Woodbury, MN and four grandsons, Derek Drake of Woodbury MN, Kris Drake of Janesville, Reed Logan and Jack Logan of Fredonia, WI.
She will also be missed by her brother, John (Deb) G. Bruni; brother-in-law, Don (June) Drake and sister-in-law, Janet (Chuck) Rote. She also has nine surviving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents and son-in-law, Wade W. Logan.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at the WHITCOMB-LYNCH-ALBRECHT FUNERAL HOME, MILTON. Burial will follow at Milton Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the start of the service.
The family would like to thank all of the nurses and staff of Mercy Hospital who provided excellent and loving care that Maureen received. Special thanks to Dr. Dan Peterson and Hospice for all of their help.
A special thanks to Judy Ullius, who was a special friend and helped Maureen each day to enjoy the past year and a half.
Memorials can be made to benefit the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice or the memorial of your choice.
Maureen Kay Bruni was born March 22, 1935 in Monroe, Wisconsin, the daughter of John H. and Jessie M. (Ward) Bruni. She married Gordon P. Drake on June 15, 1957 in Monroe, WI.
She attended Milton College and received her degree in vocal music in 1957. Maureen played the marimba in the Madison Symphony Orchestra and violin in Milton Choral Union Orchestra. She also taught school in Clinton, WI for one year. Then Maureen and her husband moved to Horicon, WI for five years where he taught chemistry and physics. During this time she was a mother to their three children and a homemaker.
They then moved to Tempe, AZ where her husband attended Arizona State University. And after that moved to Naples, Italy where her husband taught for the Department of Defense.
While in Italy, Maureen worked at the NATO base in a daycare with children of military personnel. This was the start of a life long profession. She worked for Lynn Wood Nursery School and then The Gingerbread House, both in Janesville. She ran a nursery school in their home known as Mrs. Drake's House, for 13 years. She retired in 1994.
Besides her love of children, Maureen also enjoyed the outdoors, backpacking and skiing in the mountains with the family. She enjoyed her flowers, traveling and camping with friends, her bridge clubs and trips to Broadway Shows in Chicago.
She is survived by her husband, Gordon Drake; two sons, Kerry (Sherrie) Drake, Brian (Heidi) Drake of Janesville and one daughter, Laura Logan of Fredonia, WI. Maureen also cherished her one granddaughter, Cassie Drake of Woodbury, MN and four grandsons, Derek Drake of Woodbury MN, Kris Drake of Janesville, Reed Logan and Jack Logan of Fredonia, WI.
She will also be missed by her brother, John (Deb) G. Bruni; brother-in-law, Don (June) Drake and sister-in-law, Janet (Chuck) Rote. She also has nine surviving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents and son-in-law, Wade W. Logan.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at the WHITCOMB-LYNCH-ALBRECHT FUNERAL HOME, MILTON. Burial will follow at Milton Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the start of the service.
The family would like to thank all of the nurses and staff of Mercy Hospital who provided excellent and loving care that Maureen received. Special thanks to Dr. Dan Peterson and Hospice for all of their help.
A special thanks to Judy Ullius, who was a special friend and helped Maureen each day to enjoy the past year and a half.
Memorials can be made to benefit the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice or the memorial of your choice.