Janet Lee (Mink) Drake, 75

Janet Lee (Mink) Drake, 75, went home to our Lord and to those who have been patiently waiting to be reunited with her in everlasting life. She died peacefully after a short illness on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; parents, Carroll and Earl Wicker, Norman and Eileen Mink; and her sister, Elaine Phillipi.

She is survived by her son, William (Vicki) Drake, Arkansas and their children and grandchildren; sister, Marshelle (Wally) Bergstrom, Menasha, Wisconsin; niece, Jeanne (Morteza) Alaei, Livermore, California; and niece, Laura (Steve) Phillipi, Vacaville, California.

Janet was born in Twin Falls, Idaho grew up in Nevada and Montana. She graduated from Great Falls Central Catholic High School.

Janet was a very devoted Catholic who truly lived as a servant of God. She entered the Convent of the Ursuline Sisters, St. Ignatius in 1960. She took her vows and became Mother Mary Jerome in 1963 in Santa Rosa, California. She then went to New Rochelle, New York to receive her education. She taught grade school in Montana, Idaho and California.

In 1968, she realized she needed to pursue a different path in serving God. Upon returning to Montana, she met the love of her life, rancher Frank Drake, and they married in 1970 at St. Ignatius. They lived on a ranch in Charlo, and adopted their son, William, in 1973.

In 1980, Janet received her Bachelor Degree in Education and returned to teaching grade school. She would retire in 1993.

In 1981, the family moved to Ronan, where Frank built a house and farmed until retirement, living the Montana dream.

Janet loved to play the guitar and sing using her music to minister in the church playing at the Masses. She volunteered in many ways, serving as Eucharistic minister to the sick in the local hospital and nursing homes, and volunteering at the Bread Basket and the Ronan Senior Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Parish or the Bread Basket.

Services were held Monday, October 23, at Sacred Heart Parish in Ronan. Rosary was held at 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. Burial and luncheon followed. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at www.shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home, Ronan.