Bert Blake

Bert Blake, age 78 of Osakis died at his home early Tuesday, January 30, 2007 in rural Osakis, MN.
Berthold Albert Blake, Jr. was born on June 30, 1928 in Cando, North Dakota to Berthold and Alvina (Bredow) Blake, Sr. They moved to Ottertail County when Bert, Jr. was an infant. At the age of thirteen, Bert left home to work as a farm hand. He served in the Army during the Korean War and after his honorable discharge in 1952, he returned to Minnesota and took work as a roofer for Herzog Roofing of Alexandria. On June 4, 1971 Bert was united in marriage to Linda Ostlund at the Salem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. Bert did construction work with Aus Hoosline for several years until 1986 when he became employed at Jenny O's in Melrose. He retired in 1993.
Bert was a lifetime member of the Osakis VFW Post and was also a member of the Osakis Lutheran Church and the AARP. He enjoyed listening to country music and watching old westerns on television. He went duck hunting each fall and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Blake of Osakis; a daughter, Sheilah (Tron) Howard of Eagan, MN and a son, Shawn (Marie) Blake of Edwardsville, IL; 2 grandsons, Tyler and Tarin Blake; 3 sisters, Opahl Wark, Doralean Mosher and Angeline Blake, all of Alexandria; mother-in-law, Ethel Pease of Osakis; many nieces and nephews.
Bert is preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Viola Wark, Evelyn and Marion Blake, Marjorie Hendershot; two brothers, Donald and Verlin Blake.
Funeral services for Bert will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 2:00 pm at the Osakis Lutheran Church with Rev. Ron Calvert officiating. Musicians are Pat Converse and Dana Hetland. Lunch will be served in the fellowship hall following the service by the Osakis Lutheran Church Women. Interment is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Friday, Feb. 2 at 11:30 am.