Mildred Blake

Obituary

Mildred Ann Blake was born on November 3, 1930, in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota.   She was the daughter of Elmer and Fleeta (Scott) Paul.  Mildred was baptized as an infant, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth, both at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Buffalo Lake.   She received her education in Hutchinson, Minnesota and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1948.  

On November 20, 1948, Mildred was united in marriage to Willis Blake at the Main Street Lutheran Parsonage in Hutchinson, Minnesota, by Reverend N.B. Hansen.  This marriage was blessed with six children.  Mildred and Willis resided in Hutchinson. In 1981, Mildred and Willis moved to a farm near Cedar Mills, Minnesota.  In 1994, they moved to Lake Erie in rural Darwin, Minnesota. Mildred and Willis shared 50 years of marriage until, Willis passed away on January 11, 1999.

In addition to being a loving homemaker and mother, Mildred held employment at Plowman’s Car Dealership and Culligan’s and worked as a Customer Service Manager at J. C. Penney’s in Hutchinson.   Mildred was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson,  where she was active in the women’s groups and helped put the bulletins together.

Mildred was an excellent cook; her specialties were apple stuffing and stewed tomatoes.  She loved to tell stories, especially about living on the farm.  Mildred enjoyed playing cards and taking walks. Her favorite treat was ice cream. She loved people and worked to make a difference in their lives.  Whether through her jobs in customer service or her church activities, Mildred did her best to help those around her. She cherished the time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren.

Mildred moved to the Evergreen Apartments in Hutchinson in 2004.  When she needed assistance with her daily care, she became a resident of the Harmony River Living Center in 2014. Mildred passed away there on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at the age of 86 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Mildred is survived by her:
Children, Gloria Wendlandt of St. Cloud, MN,
                   Larry Blake of Darwin, MN,
                   Michael Blake and his wife, Karna, of Hutchinson, MN,
                   Shirley Miller of Marietta, GA,  
                   Sandra Curtiss of Hutchinson, MN,  
                   Joy Schmidt and her husband, Gene of Cosmos, MN;
Grandchildren, Sherry, Geniffer, John, Daniel, Gina, Cynthia, Anthony, Ryan, Kalie, Blake, Cory;
Great Grandchildren;
Step Grandchildren;
Step Great Grandchildren;
Nieces, Nephews, many other relatives and friends;

Mildred is preceded in death by her Parents, Elmer and Fleeta Paul; Husband, Willis Blake; Granddaughter, Kim Miller; Sisters, Eva Tews, Adeline Penders, Irene Paul, Evelyn Goemer; Brother, Marvin Paul; Son-In-Law, Gordy Curtiss; Brothers-In-Law, and Sisters-In-Law.