State Rep. Jack Drake dead at 81

State Rep. Jack Drake, R-Griswold, who had served 22 years in the Iowa House, died Sunday at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. He was 81.

There was no immediate word on the cause of death. Drake was elected to the Iowa House in a southwest Iowa district in 1992. He was a former member of the Pottawattamie County Zoning Board and the former president of the East Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau.

A visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Griswold United Methodist Church. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m.Thursday at the church.

"Iowa lost a dedicated public servant with the passing of Rep. Jack Drake," said Iowa House Speaker-select Linda Upmeyer. "We are all saddened to hear the news, but we will remember Jack as a strong advocate for his constituents, serving them honorably for nearly 23 years. During his time in the Iowa House, Jack was a leader and trusted resource on agricultural issues which are so important to the state of Iowa. As the most senior member of the House Republican Caucus, his expertise and guidance will be sorely missed. We will keep Jack's family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

Jeff Kaufmann, a former House member who is chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, issued a statement praising Drake.

"I had the honor of sitting beside Jack in the Iowa House, and I learned he was a man of great integrity and a strong advocate for Iowa agriculture. I will miss him, the Iowa House will miss him, and our great state will miss his capable and steady hands.”

Iowa Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, said he was saddened to learn of Drake's passing. "I enjoyed serving with Jack for my 10 years in the Iowa House. Jack was truly a great man who worked on putting policies in place to improve the lives of his constituents. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Gov. Terry Branstad also issued a statement Monday, noting that Drake helped organize his first campaign for lieutenant governor in 1978.

"“Rep. Drake conscientiously served the citizens of southwestern Iowa for many years in the Legislature," Branstad said in the statement. "He was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed."

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said in a statement that "Jack was a phenomenal voice for our agricultural community and our great state. I was honored to serve with Jack in the state Legislature and always valued his hard work and in-depth knowledge on the issues most important to Iowans."