Lake, James Wayne “Mike” - 1925-2011

DONAHUE, HARDY, LAKE, LETO, LEVELL, LOCKYEAR, LOPEZ, MCHONE, MOSER, MUNOZ, SCHNEIDER, SNETHEN, TERRY

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 9/12/2024 at 14:13:37

James Wayne "Mike" Lake, 86, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at Arbor Springs with his loving family by his side. A celebration of Mike's life will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at First Assembly of God Church, 2725 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. Burial with military honors will be at Glendale Cemetery.
Mike was born on March 23, 1925, the fifth child of six born to James E. and Lucy (Levell) Lake. A lifelong resident of Des Moines until he moved to Urbandale in 2005, he attended Warren Harding Junior High and North High School. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1943, he was assigned to the Naval Armed Guard during World War II serving on ships in the Pacific theatre of war. After his discharge in 1946, he worked at various jobs, finally choosing the home improvement business. He and his brother, Herb, worked together in this business for many years. He then started his own business, Mike Lake Home Improvement, in 1971 and ran it until his retirement.
In 1947 he was united in marriage to Beverly Kay Snethen. To this union three children were born: Michael James, David Wayne, and Marsha Elaine. In 1968 Beverly passed away.
Mike found love again after Beverly's death and in 1973 married Juanita Grace Leto. Upon his retirement, he and Juanita spent many winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. Over the years, Mike took pleasure in spending time with friends and family playing board Games, especially cribbage. Mike also enjoyed helping his children with their remodeling projects. Being extremely proud of each one of his grandchildren, he treasured spending time with them. He had a smile for everyone. Taking pride in doing a good job, Mike was always honest and hard-working. He had been a member of First Assembly of God Church for thirty-five years where he and Juanita served in the Food Pantry Ministry for several years. Mike was also a member of Moingona Masonic Lodge.
Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Juanita; his sons, Michael (Paula) Lake of Waukee and David (Donna) Lake of Des Moines; daughter, Marsha (Vic) Munoz of Des Moines; step-daughters Kathleen (Carroll) Hardy of Prole, Linda Leto of Clive, and Christine (Tod) Moser of Columbia, Missouri; step-son John Leto of Des Moines; grandchildren Heather Lockyear, Mitchell (Sarah) Lake, Tina (Doug) McHone, Toni Lake, Aimee Munoz, Ashley Munoz, Amanda Hardy, Nathanael Hardy, Sarah Schneider, Ryan Schneider, David Moser, Mallory Moser, Daniel Moser, Nicolas Moser, Annika Moser, Shelby (Miguel) Lopez, and Johnny Leto; and eight great-grandchildren. An older sister, Helen Terry also survives him as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly; his parents; brothers Herbert, Kenneth, and Robert; sister Margaret Donahue; and grandson Matthew Lake.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Arbor Springs for their diligent and loving care and compassion provided to Mike for the past year. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Assembly of God Church of Des Moines or to First Assembly's Food Pantry.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Saturday, December 3, 2011, page 5B