LaVerle Maxine Dake
January 20, 1930 ~ March 14, 2015
LaVerle Maxine Dake, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at her home in Cedar Rapids. She was diagnosed in November 2014 with glioblastoma. Upon her diagnosis, her wish was to remain in her home, which she was able to do with the help and support of her four children, loving family and friends, and Hospice of Mercy.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Darran Whiting. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.
Survivors include four children, Theron (Josie) Manson of Cedar Rapids, Maureen (David) Kilfoile of Coral Springs, Florida, Pamela Boston (Greg McGivern) of Robins, and LuAnn (Gene) Pierce of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren, Shawn (Stephanie) Manson of Folsom, California, Brooke (Quinten) Bennett of Olathe, Kansas, Nicholas (Sheena) Adams of Frisco, Texas, and Erin Kilfoile (Wes Soell) of Lighthouse Point, Florida; great grandchildren, Cade and Roman Manson, Quinten and Breylen Bennett, Lathan and Reese McGivern, Chase and Landon Adams, and Baby Soell due on August 31, 2015.
LaVerle Maxine Knapp was born in Auburn, Iowa, on January 20, 1930, the daughter of Millard and Mathilda Knapp, the first of five children. Her surviving siblings are Kay West of Vinton, Iowa, Merrill Knapp of Hawkeye, Iowa, Pat Maxson of Shallowater, Texas, and Larry Knapp of Dubuque, Iowa.
She was united in marriage to Maurice Manson on April 23, 1946. They farmed in the Arlington, Iowa area until his death in a farm accident in 1956. After her marriage to Darrell Dake on October 27, 1961, their lives revolved around racing until his death in 2007.
LaVerle will be remembered by many as an instructor at Paris Academy Beauty School from 1958-1977. She was then a secretary for the Iowa Department of Human Services from 1978 until her retirement in 1995.
She was an avid reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles, and watching college basketball and football. She loved her home and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
The family extends a sincere thank you to the Hospice of Mercy team for their care and compassion during LaVerle's illness.
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LaVerle was a sweet, funny, gentle soul who will be missed by many. She was a wonderful neighbor, friend, food taster, sports fan, & dog lover. We’ll keep fond memories of her with us forever.
— Rita, Jennifer, & Molly Lange
Mrs. Dake as we all knew her from Paris Academy , was a very inspirational woman to me and many. She carried herself with such grace and dignity. She would be so nervous on Friday’s when Darrel was racing, always fearing the worst. I would always joke with her and try to get her mind off the racing. She instilled in us to be beautiful women and to dress the part and act the part. She left a BIG impression on me then and always. Every time I would see Sophia Loren, I saw our Mrs. Dake. Rest in Peace, truly one of the good ones have left us.
Mary Burrack Torres
You where loved beyond words Love to your family from Stephen,Paige,Amanda and Andrew Mcatee
So sorry for your loss. Saying some prayers for the family. Ben and Amy Lundon.
Dear LuAnn: A while back I sent a Facebook message to your mom but never received a reply. Now I know that she was just unable to respond. She and I shared many, many lunches when we worked together at DHS. She LOVED a good hamburger! And some mornings we would stop and have a donut and coffee by the office. How she kept that spectacular figure was beyond me. I am sending you my deepest sympathies and condolences to you especially, and to your entire family in your loss. May you find comfort in your memories of your Mother. If it’s possible, please reach out to me at Facebook. I would love to talk to you. All my love, Debbie Palmer Butenko.
I have the fondest memories of time spent at Hawkeye Downs as a youth and both you and Darrell are a big part of those memories… R. I. P. and prayers to the family, Kim Strausser
I will miss my good friend La Verle. She was a beautiful person inside and out.
I always admired her devotion to her family and to her husband Darrell Dake’s
racing. We had many good times at the races!
I am a 1957 graduate of Paris Academy and have many fond memories of Laverle, both as a class mate and as an instructor. She was a very good friend. My first husband was also a very close friend of Darrell and his racing and went with him to many of his races. She will be greatly missed.
God Bless!
Lavonn (
So many memories when I was a kid and when I got to be older involved LaVerle & Darrel. I spent quite a bit of time with LaVerle when I was a kid. In the grandstands at the races & sometimes having dinner at there house when everybody was working on Dakes race car. When it was time to eat at there house you better stop & Eat. I will miss her very much. So glad she’s not in pain anymore. Will always remember that classy lady
We are truly saddened with the passing of LaVerle. I was a fan of Darrell Dake and his racing. When Darrell passed I got in touch with LaVerle. Although I never met her we corresponded on email from time to time. I could tell from her messages she was a kind and gentle soul. She really loved her Darrell and missed him a great deal. Our deepest and most sincere sympathies and prayers go out to LaVerle and her family. You will be missed.
Randy & Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the entire family. Laverle was one of our instructors at Paris Academy Beauty School when my sister and I attended. I have many fun memories of those times and remember her as always looking so statuesque and pretty. So very sorry to read of her death in the paper and are thinking of you all during this time in her loss. Terry and Boni Moore
I am really sad that Great-Grandma passed away. I always went to her house after pre-school class. She made me a better person. I miss her. Quinten Bennett