James Earl Blake

James Earl Blake, 79 of Devils Lake, passed away on December 26th, 2009 in the Minot Hospital. Funeral Services for James will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with Rev. Daniel Wolpert, Pastor of the Crookston Presbyterian Church officiating. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and JoDee Lagain, pianist. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Jim was the youngest son of Percy and Leafa (Numbers) Blake, born on April 26th, 1930. He was raised in Minto Township near Wales, North Dakota, where he attended school and entered into his farming career. He took over his father’s small grain and beef farm, partnering with his brother Perlie Blake for many years, until Jim’s sons entered into the operation in the early 70’s. Jim supplemented the farm with a small backhoe operation and always loved that work. In 1977 he left North Dakota for Montana and many points west, where he operated a backhoe for Bottrell Telecommunications. He followed the business to many remote locations in the western states, moving with his fifth wheel camper. He loved the campground environment! He retired and moved back to Devils Lake in 2007 with some health issues. Jim married Doris (Restad) in 1947 and raised five children on the farm in Wales. In 1981 he married Donna (Shaw-Kram), who enjoyed and supported the construction circuit over the years. Jim is survived by his loving wife Donna; daughters Cheri (Dave) Olday of Fargo, ND and Barb (Jeff) Smith-Strong of Devils Lake; sons Percy (Colleen) Blake of Crookston, Minnesota, Rick (Nancy) Blake of Devils Lake and Bob (Carol) Blake of Wales along with Donna’s daughters; Lena Crane, Carol (Bob) LaChausse, and Sandra (Erik) Hoppe; 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lloyd and Perlie and two sisters, Hazel and Irene.