Eileen Effie Drake, 74, of Brookings, SD passed away Monday, November 3, 2025 at Brookings Health System, Brookings, SD after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Memorial Services have been set for 11:00am Saturday, November 22, 2025 at First United Methodist Church, Brookings, SD. Memorial Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family in the arrangements. In leu of flowers memorial may be directed to the Brookings Harvest Table and the American Cancer Society in Eileen’s name.
Eileen Effie Pearcy was born April 23, 1951 to Farmer Neal and Helen Louise (Ruckman) Pearcy in Council Bluffs, IA. She grew up in Persia, IA where she attended school and graduated from Tri-Center High School in Neola, IA.
Eileen was united in marriage to Steven Charles Drake on July 1, 1972 in Neola, IA. They had two children, Brian and Kristine.
Eileen worked as a teletypist at the Social Security Administration, as an embroiderer, and at AAA Travel in Omaha, NE. During her retired years she worked at a greenhouse in Hurricane, UT.
She spent her free time crocheting baby hats for the local hospital in St. George, UT. She enjoyed puzzles, word searches, walking and hiking, visiting Zion National Park and spending time with her grandchildren and she loved tending to her gardening.
Eileen was a quiet person, but was strong-willed. She made some of the best peanut brittle around. When someone received a gift from her, they always knew which package came from her due to her exceptional use of tape. Cardinals were her favorite bird. She loved spending time with husband, children and grandchildren.
She was a member of Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in St. George, UT.
Eileen is survived by her husband, Steven C. Drake; her children Brian (Kristin) Drake and Kristine (Shawn) Storhaug; her grandchildren, Allison, Matthew and Zachary Drake, Samson and Alexander Storhaug; her brother Leland (Maggie) Pearcy and her sisters-in-law, Diane Lange and Linda Richardson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Farmer and Helen Pearcy, her sisters, Beverly Whittemore and Ellen Pearcy.
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