Ed Blake Obituary

Edward P. Blake, 77, of Waukon, IA, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. A funeral mass will be held Monday, June 16th, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester, IA, with Fr. Jerry Blake officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Dorchester. A celebration of Ed's life will be held at the Waukon Fairgrounds Pavilion on Sunday, June 15, from 5:00 – 9:00 PM with a meal provided for friends and family. You're invited to come have an Old Milwaukee, share your favorite stories, and remember Ed with laughter and love. A viewing will also be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM prior to the service Monday at church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the "Tyler Blake Scholarship Fund", a cause that is near and dear to the Blake family's heart.

Edward Patrick Blake was born on May 3, 1948, in Decorah, IA, to Patrick and Margaret (Hammell) Blake. He was raised in the scenic hills of Dorchester, IA, along Bear Creek, where he grew up with his 12 siblings. Ed attended a rural country school through the 8th grade before graduating from St. Patrick's High School in Waukon, IA.

After his father's passing in 1963, Ed, with the help of his siblings, took on the responsibility of running the family farm. In 1968, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in the Vietnam War from 1968 - 70, where he was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery.

Upon returning home, Ed married the love of his life, Mary Manning, on July 19, 1969, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Wexford, near Lansing, IA. For their six-month honeymoon, Ed moved them to Fort Jackson, SC. Six months later, they returned to Decorah before settling permanently in Waukon. Together, Ed and Mary raised five children: Todd, Tammy, Travis, Tracy, and Tyler.

Ed was never afraid of hard work and held many jobs throughout his life. He milked cows, welded on high-rises, poured concrete, worked at a landfill, and spent time at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids, IA. In 1975, Ed and Mary purchased IOCO, a full-service gas station, which they ran for about three years. He later worked in excavating and construction, eventually purchasing part of Denny Curtin's business to establish Blake Excavating-a business where he passed on his love of hard work and dedication to the next generations. His grandchildren fondly remember riding on the fenders of his dozers and crawlers, learning life lessons from their grandpa along the way.

Ed was a true legend in Allamakee County. He loved driving the countryside, checking in on family and friends. He had a gift for storytelling, a deep love for the outdoors, and a reputation for always having a cold beer and a good laugh ready. Whether fishing, birdwatching, or riding horses, Ed found joy in life's simple pleasures.

He was a proud member of St. Mary's Parish in Dorchester, St. Patrick's Parish in Waukon, the VFW, the Upper Iowa Saddle Club, and the Ludlow Card Club. Ed never met a stranger-he made friends everywhere he went, from local watering holes to community events. His warm smile, big heart, and unmistakable "Blake laugh" made everyone feel welcome.

Ed will be remembered as a loyal husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a hero to his family-hardworking, stubborn in the best way, compassionate, and full of love. His favorite sayings like "Dog gone," "OK, whatever," and "Give me a beer" will echo in the hearts of all who loved him.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Blake; children: Todd (Kandra) Blake, Tammy (Brian) Stortz, Travis Blake, and Tracy (Nicole) Blake; grandchildren: Will, Wyatt (Abby), and Elizabeth Blake (Cecilia Bean), Amber, Tyler (Ally), Blake, and Morgan Stortz, Brennen Blake, and Ayden, Courtney, and Weston Blake; and great-grandchildren: Callen and Macsen Blake and Brock, Hank, Jack, and Lincoln Stortz.

He is also survived by his siblings: Connie Pecinovsky, Patty Blake, Judy Bailey, Diane McKenna, Larry Blake, Kay Pecinovsky, Pat Blake, Tom Blake, Chris Hackman, MaryAnn Brodahl, and Bill Blake; as well as many brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Ed was preceded in death by his son Tyler "Bubba" Blake; his parents Pat and Margaret Blake; his brother Mike Blake; his in-laws Harold and Evelyn Manning; and brother-in-law Patrick Manning.

Casket bearers are grandsons: William and Wyatt Blake, Tyler and Blake Stortz, Brennen Blake, and Ayden Blake. Honorary casketbearers are all additional grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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