Obituary for Michael ‘Mike’ James Blake

Michael ‘Mike’ James Blake, 64, of Dorchester, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 12th, 2023 at his home.

 

Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester with Rev. John Moser officiating with the assistance from Father Jerry Blake (Mike’s first cousin). Visitation will be held before the service, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Private family internment will be at a later date. Fellowship and lunch will be in the church basement immediately following the service.

 

Mike was born July 27, 1959, in Waukon, Iowa, the son of Patrick and Margaret (Hammell) Blake. Mike’s youth was spent on the family farm outside of Dorchester. He attended Waukon Public School and enjoyed participating in wrestling, farm work, and breaking horses in his spare time with his siblings.

 

He met Linda Kimber at a dance at Matter’s Ballroom near Decorah, Iowa while still in school. As true high school sweethearts they married on August 16, 1980. Mike worked with Leidahl construction laying pipe and sewer work, digging, and trucking. The couple moved to the family dairy farm and soon after welcomed three children; Rebecca, Jesse and Rachel. They later separated due to life circumstances, but cared and continually spoke fondly of each other. Mike continued on the family farm, raising his three kids, working the land and milking cows. He enjoyed working with his hands; building, tinkering and fixing things around the farm and repairing items others discarded. Always filling his free time with helping family and friends with their fieldwork, mechanic breakdowns, or electrical or plumbing issues, he sure could do it all and never felt intimidated by learning something new in the challenges. “You learn something new everyday,” was repeated often to his children. He encouraged his kids to participate in the farm work from caring for cows, pigs, horses, and chickens to mechanic work on the farm machinery, trucks, and cars. Mike took them hunting for mushrooms, fishing in Bear Creek and taught them about living off the land during all the many seasons Iowa presented. Mike’s life was marked by his love for his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. His door was always open to friends and family needing a place to stay or just to hang out for some good conversations. He cherished dancing, music, and socializing. He loved to laugh and joke with everyone around him. It was said that he never met a stranger. His respect, honesty, and all around being a good human with an incredible “BLAKE LAUGH” will remain a memory for all that had the honor of crossing paths with him. 

 

Mike is survived by his son, Jesse Blake of Waukon; two daughters, Rebecca (Matt) Manning of Lansing and Rachel (Daniel) Henriksen of Ridgeway; --- grandchildren, Marcus, Theo and Graham Manning, Jameson and Oakley Blake, Cameron and Brody Thiele and Alec Blake; 5 brothers, Edward (Mary) Blake, Larry (Susie) Blake, Pat (Sandy) Blake, Tom (Martha) Blake, and Bill (Rose) Blake: 7 sisters, Connie (Dave) Pecinovsky, Patricia Blake, Judith (Norman) Bailey, Diane (Terry) McKenna, Kay (Bernie) Pecinovsky, Chris (Jim) Hackman and Mary Ann (Mark) Brodahl; and many nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Margaret Blake, a sister, Marilyn; a brother, John; two nephews, James McKenna and Tyler Blake; a niece, Stacy Blake; and a brother-in-law, Gene Burroughs.