Rose Wernes (Dreher) Drake, widow of longtime UCLA trainer and track coach Elvin C. “Ducky” Drake, died at home in Santa Monica, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 23, 2012. Rose was 96.
She was born in Aug. 14, 1915, on the family farm in Friend, Neb., to Homer and Ida (Roush) Dreher.
After graduating from Iola High school she graduated from Iola Junior College in 1934. She began her 26-year teaching career at Liberty teaching all grades in a one-room school house. In the late 1930s, Rose taught in Petrolia and Parsons and attended Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg during the summers. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 1940. Rose taught in Wichita, Kansas City and Kansas City, Mo., in the 1940s. After World War II, she taught at the American Dependents School in Stuttgart, Germany, (1945-51) and traveled on weekends throughout Europe.
Upon returning to the United States, Rose married Ivar Wernes, a district manager for Winter & Co., in July 1951. They settled in Toledo, Ohio. Rose and Ivar traveled in the Midwest for the next 2l years selling pianos. Encouraged by her husband, Rose took a break from traveling to attend Toledo University where she received a Master of Arts in Supervision and Administration in 1956. When Ivar died in 1972, Rose returned to the job she loved most, teaching music at Burroughs School in Toledo until 1981.
Ducky Drake, a childhood friend, convinced Rose to quit her job, sell her home, and move west to Santa Monica. She did and they were married in 1983 beginning a wonderful relationship until Ducky’s sudden death in December 1988. Rose was an avid UCLA fan and enjoyed singing and playing piano for UCLA events. She attended most football and basketball games into her early 90s.
Rose was loved and adored by all. She had no children and is survived by nieces and nephews.
Visitations will take place on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon at Gates, Kingsley & Gates 1925 Arizona, Santa Monica. Memorial services will be at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Wooden Athletic Fund, UCLA Athletics, Morgan Center, 325 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1639.
Rose Clara Drake
