Inez S. Drake

Inez S. Drake, age 97, of Grand Forks, died Saturday, December 27, 2025, at her home.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026, at University Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held in the Spring of 2026 at Memorial Park South Cemetery in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to University Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, where Inez has been a devoted member since 1954.

Inez Serene Kjelsberg was born December 23, 1928, in Mayville, North Dakota, to Henry and Hannah (Haugen) Kjelsberg. Inez graduated from Mayville High School in 1946 and furthered her education at Deaconess School of Nursing in 1950. On March 1, 1952, Inez was united in marriage to Dale Drake in Moorhead, Minnesota. With a heart dedicated to nurturing, Inez started her nursing career in 1950 in the newborn nursery, where she worked until 1970. In 1970, Inez began working at the University of North Dakota in Student Health and retired from nursing in 1995. Inez remained actively engaged in the community long after her career, working as an usher at The Ralph Englestad Arena. This allowed her to watch hockey and visit with Sioux fans. Inez was a devoted Christian and active member of University Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, served as a secretary for the church council and for finance from 1993 until 2015, and was very involved with WELCA and Quilters’ Club.

Inez was known for her warm heart and gentle soul. She was an unwavering advocate for social causes and political issues, and was always ready to speak up for what she believed in. Inez looked forward to her family visits and to her weekly Monday coffee gatherings with her friends. She loved playing card games such as Hand and Foot and Bridge, where winning a nickel was a big highlight. Inez was the neighborhood mom. Kids were always welcome in her home. There was always extra room at her table for hungry kids. She was a "bonus mom" to many. Inez loved being a grandma and a great-grandma.

Inez is survived by her children, Sara (Vincent) Crow, Jon (Rose) Drake, and Butch (Ruth) Drake; grandchildren, Derek Drake, Jessica (Matthew) Kasper, Joshua (Taylor) Stengl, Daniel (Leslie) Witte, Hannah (Jared) Carter, Samuel Witte, and Madison Witte; great-grandchildren, Camden (Caitlyn), Rory, Gillian, Easton, Hadley, Sawyer, Theo, Shaw, and Reeve; special friend, Mary Swiers; and her Norwegian relative, Stein Fauske who referred to her as his American Mom.

Inez was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Drake; sons, Michael and Richard; brother, Marcus Kjelsberg; and parents, Henry and Hannah Kjelsberg.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to Dr. Yvonne Gomez for the exceptional care provided to Inez over many years and also acknowledges the hospice care team, which, although brief, offered comfort, dignity, and peace during her final days.