Myron "Mike" Rake, 98, was born on September 2, 1926, to Ella Mae (Orr) Rake and Albert Irwin Rake in Horton, Kansas. He passed away peacefully on January 25, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas, surrounded by love and family.

Mike's life was defined by his enduring curiosity, devotion to family, and a steadfast commitment to community. Baptized as an infant in the First Episcopal Methodist Church of Horton, his connection to faith and service began early and remained an integral part of his character throughout his life.

He attended Central Elementary School, which also housed the junior high and high school, before transferring to the First Ward School for fourth through sixth grades. He then returned to Central, where he graduated in May 1944. Mike's school years were filled with music and learning. He sang in the boys' chorus and mixed choir, played the trumpet and euphonium, and took piano lessons for much of his childhood.

At age 12, Mike joined the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in December 1942, a testament to his determination and love of the outdoors. His connection to scouting lasted for 30 years, during which he mentored and inspired countless young scouts.

In the summer of 1944, Mike began pursuing a Civil Engineering degree at the University of Kansas, where he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity. A proud Jayhawk, he graduated in December 1949 and began his career with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Superior, Nebraska, in February 1950. On October 7, 1950, he married Dorothy Lee Harter, of Caldwell, Kansas. Dorothy was the daughter of Leta Maude (Harper) Harter and Aldred Vern Harter.

Mike and Dorothy welcomed their first child, Rosalyn, in July 1951 while living in Nebraska. His career took the family to Indianola later that year, where their second child, Lance, was born in 1952. In 1953, Mike transitioned to the Kansas Highway Commission, moving the family to Kingman, Kansas, where their third child, Brad, was born in 1955. Mike's work eventually took the family to Waukesha, Wisconsin, in 1956, where their youngest child, Sharon, was born in 1958.

Mike worked for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for over 30 years, beginning as a project engineer for the state's first Interstate Highway to open to traffic. In 1967, he became an Area Construction Supervisor, and later, in 1984, he moved into the traffic section as marking and signing supervisor for southeastern Wisconsin. Mike retired in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of engineering excellence and mentorship within the DOT.

Dorothy passed away in 1992 after 41 years of marriage. In 1993, Mike reconnected with Lorraine "Penny" Lovette, a college friend. They were married in December of that year and settled in Wichita, Kansas. The two shared a love of travel, particularly summers at Mike's cherished cottage on Long Lake in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Penny passed away in April 2022, and Mike continued to live at Larksfield Place, where he formed meaningful friendships and always garnered a crowd for his holiday model train showcase.

Mike was an avid sportsman who found joy in hunting, fishing, hiking, cooking over a campfire or on the grill, and golfing. A dedicated sports fan, he held season tickets to the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Bucks for decades. He and Rosalyn attended the famed "Ice Bowl" at Lambeau Field in 1967. He was also a lifelong supporter of the University of Kansas Jayhawks and took great pride in seeing three of his children and three of his grandchildren graduate from KU.

Mike is survived by his children: Rosalyn Evans of Plover, Wisconsin; Lance (Deb) Rake of Lawrence, Kansas; Brad (Lynette) Rake of Hubertus, Wisconsin; and Sharon (Jeff) Goble of Mission Hills, Kansas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Rebecca Evans (Nick) Greene of New Berlin, Wisconsin; David (Leanna) Evans of Prairie Village, Kansas; Madeline Rake (Colin) Delaney of Media, Pennsylvania; Marshall (Azita) Rake of Santa Marino, California; Corban (Maddie) Goble of New Orleans, Louisiana; Clark (Alicia) Goble of Prairie Village, Kansas; and Andrew Goble of Brooklyn, New York. Additionally, Mike leaves behind nine great-grandchildren: Nora, John, Evan, and Cara Greene; Maren and Quinn Delaney; Andie and Piper Goble; and Kendall Evans.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son-in-law, James Evans of Plover, Wisconsin.

Mike's life was a testament to the values of integrity, kindness, and perseverance. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched as a father, grandfather, engineer, mentor, and friend. He will be remembered for his devotion to family, his sense of humor, and his unwavering dedication to doing things the right way.

Mike will be interred with Dorothy at Horton Cemetery, alongside his parents, Albert and Ella Mae Rake, in the community that shaped his early years. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas with burial to follow at the Horton City Cemetery.