116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Wanda M. Drake
Wanda M. Drake
Coralville
Wanda M. Drake of Coralville passed away on April 11th, 2025, at The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County. She was born on April 25th, 1935, to Gladys and Leroy Glaspey, growing up on a farm with her sister Joan Cole south of Iowa City. She attended a country school and graduated from City High, Class of 1953. A conscientious worker at Kelly Cleaners and Hawkeye Lodge, she also enjoyed camping, fishing, and singing with her husband Robert Drake, who preceded her in death. She was cherished by many, including her late parents Gladys and Leroy Glaspey, Uncle Earl Glaspey and stillborn brother Robert Glaspey.
Beloved mother to Steve Drake (Theresa), and Barbara Epley (David), she is survived by her grandchildren: Lindsey Hardey (Jeremy); Kari Schmidt (Chris); and Corey, Mina, Nathan, and Mitchell Epley (Talia). She loved her great-grandchildren dearly: Tyler, Taylor, Tinley, Teagan, and Samuel. Per her wishes, no services will be held. She will be interred with her husband Robert Drake at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of donations, and as an avid birdwatcher and Hawkeye fan, please feed your local bird population.
Online condolences may be left at www.lensingfuneral.com.
Daily Newsletters