Criston 'Cris' Drake
Criston "Cris" Drake, 55, of Brainerd, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, May 21, at Park United Methodist Church in Brainerd with the Rev. Rory Swenson officiating. There will be a visitation Sunday afternoon from 3-6 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. There will be an Elks service at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Memorials are preferred to Brainerd Schools Foundation and Park United Methodist Church.
Criston Lowell Drake was born March 7, 1952, in Lincoln, Neb., the son of Leslie and Phyllis (Tautfest) Drake. He moved to Brainerd with his parents at an early age and graduated from Brainerd High School. Cris went on to study at Hamline University before attending the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., where he received his juris doctorate degree. He was united in marriage to Cheri Shew Aug. 17, 1974. In 1977, he returned to Brainerd and practiced with Ryan, Ruttger and Drake Law Office. He practiced law from 1977 until his disability in 1999. He was admired by many for his perseverance, integrity and his ability to overcome his physical limitations. He was active in many civil functions including Salvation Army (he served on the board of directors), Lions, Jaycees, Elks and a founding member of the Brainerd School Foundation Board. Cris also served on numerous committees at Park United Methodist Church. He enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean. He was an avid sports fan and a faithful supporter of the Twins and Vikings.
Cris will be missed by his wife, Cheri, of Brainerd; his father, Leslie Drake, of Deerwood; his children, Melissa (Greg) Hannah, of Merrifield, Courtney Drake, of Bloomington, Ashley Drake, of Brainerd, and Dr. Kevin (Erica) Drake, of Minneapolis; his granddaughters, Madison and Gabrielle; his brother, Collin Drake, of Heartland, Vt.; and his sisters, Cindy Drake, of Lincoln, Neb., and Cherie Stoeckl, of Hartsburg, Mo. Cris was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis; and brother, Leslie Drake Jr.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.