August 8, 1919 - May 29, 2020
W. Blake English, Sr., age 100, of Minneapolis, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2020, at the Minnesota Masonic Home in Bloomington, MN. He was born on August 8, 1919 to William and Hedvig (Johnson) English in Gwinner, ND. He graduated in 1941 with a business degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. In April 1942, he entered the U. S. Army and served in World War II in India and the Philippines. He received the American Theater Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with the Bronze Star. He was discharged in December 1945. He began his business career in finance and accounting, first at Goodyear and then Honeywell in the Twin Cities. He eventually joined and then retired from the Minnesota State Highway Department in St. Paul, MN.
Blake was united in marriage to Kathryn Dahl on June 1, 1946 in Gwinner, ND. After Kay passed away in 1988, Blake married Eunice Davis at Woodlake Lutheran Church in Richfield, MN on December 30, 1990. He was a lifetime member of Woodlake Lutheran and served the church in many capacities. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and had just recently received his 75 year pin. Faith and family were very important in his life.
He is survived by son, Blake English, Jr. (Cheryl); son-in-law Tom Crook (Oddbjorg Hjellbakk) step-son, Reginald "Bud" Davis, Jr. (Ruth);
step-daughters, Barbara Geertsema (Dr. James), and Nancy Wallick (Mark Mickelburg); grandchildren, Corey English (Charmaine), Kiley English, Hilary Crook (Jacob Seljan), Emily Crook (DJ Hamm); step-grandchildren, Jack Wallick, Katherine Wallick, Joel Davis (Heather); great-grandchildren, Boden Cossette, Oliver Cossette, Jackson English, JoHanna English, Britton Seljan,Lovisa Seljan, Marit Hamm, and many step-great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents; wives, Kathryn English and Eunice English; sister, Betty English and daughter, Nancy English.
He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, lodge brothers, and countless friends. He was a man of unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.
Memorials to Woodlake Lutheran Church, Richfield, MN
Funeral Service
Friday, June 12, 2020
Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel
6527 Portland Avenue S.
Richfield, MN 55423
Interment
Monday, June 15, 2020
Gwinner Cemetery
Gwinner, ND
This is such a good picture of a dear friend. He taught me so much about being positive in life.
Blake and Corey, am sorry to have read in The Forum about the loss of your Dad and Grandpa. My thoughts and prayers are with you all ✝️
I met Blake at Woodlake’s Wednesday morning Matins service about 20 years ago. I enjoyed attending with him and sitting at the men’s table for coffee and treats afterwards. Although there was a great difference in our ages we became good friends, and I enjoyed hearing about his experiences in WW II. I will miss him greatly.
As a member/staff of Woodlake I had the pleasure of working with Blake on many programs, especially Senior Fellowship. He talked about possibly living to 100 like some of his relatives did.
We are so thankful for the long friendship we have had with Blake. He was a special, special person, and we will miss him. We already do.
We enjoyed visiting with Blake during our many years at Woodlake. We will have many wonderful memories of him. Eunice, Evie Jensen, and I decided to take Norwegian lessons. Eunice and Blake would make us dinner before we went to class and we had many laughs, especially when Blake would joke with us about the Norwegian we didn’t learn. He was so dear to me.
I fondly remember Blake’s intelligent manner and his fine speaking voice. He and my daughter Beth collaborated on a scripture narration when she was in elementary school. The contrast in their voices made for a very interesting presentation.