FORT COLLINS COLORADOAN
FORT COLLINS, CO
OBITUARIES
July 30, 2004

Minnie Lee Lake, longtime Fort Collins resident, died peacefully in
her home Wednesday afternoon, July 28, 2004, surrounded by family.
Sixty-one of her 86 years were spent at the family farm on North Taft
Hill Road.  Born to John and Lizzie Hauser in North Carolina, the
family moved to Benkleman, Neb., where she spent her school years.
Her public speaking began with her valedictorian address at age 16
and continued throughout her life, concluding with her address at
her 70th class reunion in May this year.  As a member of her beloved
St. Luke's Episcopal Church for 66 years, she was actively involved in
many aspects of life of the church, including teaching, representing her
church as one of the first women delegates to the National Convention,
serving as director of the Northern Deanery of Episcopalian Churchwomen,
and participating on the Diocesan Board.  Her zest for life took her on
adventures, including a 1951 road trip to the end of the road at Circle,
Alaska, trailering through Mexico, walking through Europe, fishing in
Chile and summering for 30 years in her hand-built cabin in British
Columbia. Her love for people was expressed by opening her heart and
home for some 50 years to international students and teachers from
India to New Zealand, Chile to China and Germany to Tanzania. Anyone
who met her had the opportunity to experience what love is all about.
She was honored in 1965 as Colorado Mother of the Year, and subsequently
influenced hundreds of women through her statewide involvement in "Young
Mothers" groups. Among her many community interests were membership in
PEO-Chapter EX, Mountain View Extension Club, St. Mary's Guild, the Red
Hat Club and Golden Girls.  She was preceded in death by her husband
of 58 years, Hugh B. Lake, to whom she had vowed to "love, honor and
bake bread." She is survived by four siblings, two of whom live in Fort
Collins, Cebe Taylor and Glen Hauser, as well as three children, seven
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  A Eucharistic celebration
of her life will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church,
2000 Stover St. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of
flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Larimer County or St. Luke's
Episcopal Church.  Visit www.allnutt.com to view an online obituary and
sign a family guest book.  Originally published Friday, July 30, 2004