Elaine E. Blade

Obituary

Elaine Esther Blade was born on July 6, 1931 in Kelso Township, Sibley County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Louis and Lydia (Voss) Bethke. Elaine was baptized as an infant at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Township, Sibley County, and later confirmed in her faith as a youth at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord, Minnesota. She received her education in Gaylord, and was a graduate of the Gaylord Public High School Class of 1949.

Elaine was employed by Seeger Refrigerator Company. It was here she met Dick. Elaine and Dick were united in marriage on September 5, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord. This marriage was blessed with four sons, Paul, David, Daniel and Timothy. Elaine and Dick resided in Roseville, Minnesota and were charter members of Galilee Lutheran Church, Roseville. Their cabin on Lake Osakis became a gathering place for family, relatives and friends. Elaine was also employed as a claims secretary at Mutual Service Insurance Co. in Roseville, Minnesota. She retired in 1983. Elaine was an active member of Galilee Lutheran Church in Roseville, and Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.

In the mid-80’s they moved to La Vergne, Tennessee for a few years until Dick’s retirement. They retired to Alexandria, Minnesota, in 1990, and later moved to Howard Lake, Minnesota, and then to Hutchinson, Minnesota, in 1998. Elaine and Richard shared 55 years of marriage until Dick passed away on June 6, 2009.

Elaine enjoyed traveling, sewing, quilting, cross stitch and writing. Her book “As I Remember” details her early life growing up. She always did her crossword puzzles in ink and was a formidable cribbage player. Elaine was an antique enthusiast and always looked forward to garage sale season. She was an avid fan of the Twins and Vikings, win or lose. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, and friends.

Elaine passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Cokato Manor in Cokato, Minnesota, at the age of 94 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Elaine is survived by her:
Sons, Paul Blade of Hutchinson, MN;
David Blade and his wife, Julie of Hugo, MN;
Daniel Blade and his wife, Judy of Hutchinson, MN;
And Timothy Blade of Mound, MN;
Grandsons, Kyle Blade, Jamison Blade, Andrew (Jenny) Blade, Joshua Blade, and Thomas (Autumn) Blade;
Great-Grandchildren, Emma, Avery, Ryan, Evan, and Sylvia Blade;
Sister-in-law, Carol Stangl;
Many other relatives and friends.

Elaine is preceded in death by her Parents, Louis and Lydia Bethke; Husband, Richard Blade; Brother, Marvin Bethke; Sister-in-law, Shirley Bethke.