Betty Ellen Drake, 99, of Jasper and formerly of Linton, died peacefully early on the morning of Monday, October 12, 2026, at Serenity Springs at Northwood in Jasper. Her long life was full of faith and family, and she spent it caring for others.

Betty was born in Linton on May 6, 1927, to William O. and Ruth E. (Pope) Steele. She grew up there and graduated from Linton-Stockton High School. She then went on to the Indiana University Nursing School. That training started a career she was proud of. As a surgical registered nurse, she worked in hospitals over many years, and her steady hands and calm care helped patients through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Her faith mattered deeply to Betty. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Linton and later of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Evansville. At both churches, she and her fellow members made quilts that were sent to families in Africa. Each one was a small act of love for people she would never meet. That same caring spirit drew her to the Smile Train, a charity that provides free cleft surgeries to children around the world. Betty was happy knowing she helped give a child a new smile. She also loved to read, and she was rarely far from a good book.

Above all, Betty loved her family, and they were her greatest joy. She leaves behind her four children: Dennis (Phyllis) Drake, Mary (Terry) Egnew, Dana Drake, and Debra (Ed) Hammerschmidt. She also leaves eight grandchildren: Michelle (Donnie) Reed, Will (Jessica) Drake, Elizabeth (Michael) Mohan, Miranda (Jason) Fleeger, Tony (Jerrell) Drake, Emily (Dustin) Henning, Patrick (Pamela) Ameis, and Lyndsey (Mike) Olish. Her 24 great-grandchildren were a blessing she cherished.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Edwin D. Drake; her brother, Robert Steele; and her sisters, Evelyn Boyd and Lora Stinogel.

Family and friends are invited to gather and remember Betty on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the 2:00 PM funeral service celebrating her life at Welch & Cornett Funeral Home in Linton, of Walton Funeral Service. Burial will follow at 3:45 PM at Pogue Cemetery in Fairbanks.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Evansville, through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.welchcornett.com.