Francis Drake

Francis Peter Drake, 93, of Windsor, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, September 28, 2024.

Francis was born on April 3, 1931 to Elsie M. and Leslie P. Drake in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After Francis graduated from High School in Sauk City, Wisconsin in 1949, he ran a small photography business and later worked for the Sanchez studio in Madison, Wisconsin. On Jan 30, 1951 Francis entered the Marine Corps and was soon in active duty in Korea as a Forward Observer, relaying information between target spotters and artillery gunners. Francis was honorably discharged June 1, 1952 with a Korean Service Medal, with 1 star and a UN Service Ribbon. Upon discharge, Francis returned to Sauk City, Wisconsin.

Soon after returning, Francis enrolled in Mission House College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. During his studies there, he met his future wife Marian, when a small group of students were looking for someone with a car that could take them to the lake to go swimming. Marian joined the group when it was asked if there was room for one more in Francis’ 1949 Ford.

Francis and Marian were married on August 27, 1954, initially living on the College campus. Francis continued his schooling for a year at Milwaukee School of Engineering and then finished at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, earning a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1958.

After graduation, Francis began working for General Telephone and Electronics (GTE) in Madison, Wisconsin and the young couple rented a house on Vahlen St in Madison.

The first of three boys (David) was born in 1959, followed by Steven (1960) and Kenneth (1964).

Francis continued to work for GTE until 1981, when he started a new chapter of his career, working for the University of Wisconsin in Madison, with their professional development program. He was responsible for creating and running continuing education programs for working engineers in telecommunications and electronics. These programs were held in various locations throughout the US, and Marian was able to travel with Francis on many of these trips.

Francis always had a strong interest in cars, and he owned as many as thirteen at one point! As time went on, he focused on Ford Model A’s and owned both a 1929 town sedan and a 1929 pickup truck, that he painted in honor of his grandfather’s photography and portrait business which had previously existed in Poynette, Wisconsin. Francis and Marian were very active participants in the local Model A club, with Francis publishing their newsletter and both of them participating in many drives to a wide variety of destinations. They put many miles on their two Model A’s and gained many friends in the process.

Francis was preceded in death by his sister Patricia and by Marian, his wife of 69 years. He is survived by his 3 sons David (Beth), Steven (Inna) and Kenneth (Mary), as well as three grandchildren (Christine, Kevin and Elizabeth) and one great-granddaughter (Caitlin).

A small private graveside ceremony was held at Hillside Cemetery in Poynette, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Deforest Area Community and Senior Center (https://deforestcenter.org/).

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road

608-846-4250