Ethel Alice Blake

Ethel Alice Blake passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at the age of 88 at Northern Pines Assisted Living in Pine City, Minnesota.

Ethel was born January 17, 1930 on the family farm near Heron Lake, Minnesota to Ingvald and Anna Sigurdsen. She moved with her family to a farm near Grasston, Minnesota at the age of 12 and graduated from Pine City High School in 1948. Her upbringing as a farm girl was always near and dear to her.

In 1953, Ethel married Ward E. Blake, Jr. and they moved back to the Blake home place near Henriette, Minnesota in 1960. They raised three children there; Kathy, Karen and Dan. Ethel was proud to be a full-blooded Norwegian and made certain that her children understood how to kindly call someone a stinky pig in Norsk. She also enjoyed gardening, music, reading, baking, coffee and fires in the wood stove. Her “dates” with Ward, when their kids were older, tended to be cutting firewood and then coming home to do the daily crossword puzzle together. Ethel always had a strong faith and made sure her children were raised accordingly. She trusted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and talked with him as a dear friend.

Ethel is survived by her daughters Katherine (Timothy) Panula of Lakeville, Karen Blake of Cambridge; son Daniel (Joanne) Blake of Pine City; grandchildren Nathan Panula, Kristen (Bryan) Gerber, Jennifer Panula, Andrew Blake, John Blake, Ryan Blake and Matthew Blake; great-grandchildren Grace Gerber and Lucy Gerber; brother Leonard Sigurdsen of Grasston; brother-in-law Willard Blake of Coon Rapids and sister-in-law Janice Blake of Mora.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband Ward Blake; her parents; sisters Irene Martini and Ruth Hanson; brother Alden Sigurdsen; brothers-in-law Vern Martini, Milton Blake and Dwight Blake; sister-in-law Alberta Sigurdsen; father-in-law Ward Blake, Sr. and mother-in-law Florence Blake.

Reverend Fred Hanson will officiate at funeral services for Ethel:  2:30 PM Friday, February 16, 2018 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Pine City.  A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  The interment will take place at the Henriette Cemetery, Henriette, Minnesota. 

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to:  Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.  www.FuneralAndCremationService.com