May 27, 1941 - December 24, 2022
Rudy Blake, of Mead, Washington, passed away at Holy Family Hospital, peacefully with his wife by his side in the early morning hours of December 24, 2022, at the age of 81. He was born on May 27, 1941, in Cando, ND, to Ernest and Martha Blake. He grew up on the family farm, along with his older brother, Lavern. He graduated from Starkweather HS in 1959 and began college at NDSU in Fargo, where he was a member of the ATO fraternity. It was there that he met a sweet nursing student named Janice. She thought he was pretty cute, and they married on February 1st, 1964. He soon joined the Air National Guard and off they went to Connelly Air Force Base in Waco, TX, where he began a year-long navigator training. They then returned to Fargo, where he served in N.D. Air National Guard, and also resumed his college education at Moorhead State, where he was on the Dean's List. He graduated with honors in 1968, with a BA in Business. By the end of that year, Rudy became a salesman with the 3M Company, so they headed to Denver, CO. In June of 1969, they welcomed their first son, Ryan. In 1970, his talent in sales attracted one of his 3M clients, and he was offered a job in Spokane, WA, with Custodial Supply. Once again, they packed up and relocated to a little home on the South Hill. They welcomed a second son, Tyson, in August of 1972. Their daughter, Rebecca, completed their family in September of 1974. In 1975, they bought an old farmhouse set on 5 acres. He would go on to live in that same house until two weeks before he died, 47 years later. It was there that Rudy started operations on his very own business, Sanitary Supply Systems, which he ran out of a large warehouse on their property. He successfully ran that business, along with his wife, for just shy of 43 years. His date of retirement was the same day he died. We all knew that was how that would work. Rudy loved to fish, whether it was braving the ocean waters for the big fish, or on countless lakes on countless occasions. He always made time to root for the NDSU Bison Football team, yelling at the tv about a bad play. He also enjoyed Gonzaga men's basketball, especially during March madness. He loved deer hunting, especially on his 40 acres surrounding his little log cabin in the woods near Colville, WA. That was his pride and joy. Rudy loved those woods and had such a deep respect for them. He loved his family, and the select people he deemed worthy to call friends. He valued hard work over anything else. That, and really bad jokes. He is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Jan Blake; his sons, Ryan Blake (Mead, WA) and Tyson Blake (Spokane, WA); daughter Rebecca Connelly, and "his Andy" (son-in-law)(Portland, OR); granddaughters, Taylor Blake, and Avery Blake (both of Spokane), and Fiona Connelly (Portland); step-grandchildren, Isabella Connelly and Gannon Connelly (both of Portland, OR); many extended family members, friends, and his sweet cat, Spooky. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother. A memorial service will be held in Spokane at the end of February. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Union Gospel Mission.
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