Gordon Roger Blake died March 8, 2007. He was born June 5, 1926, in Wells to Homer and Margaret Blake.

He attended Wells and Albert Lea schools. He served in the armed forces from 1945-1947.

He married Lola Ryan on July 6, 1947, in Albert Lea. He spent most of his working life in Albert Lea. He had several Body Shops and started Albert Lea Auto Salvage with his partner Lu Ryan in 1958. He retired from the Auto Salvage in 1988 and built several condos on Lakewood Ave after he retired. He also owned Waseca Village Bowl from 1976-1982. After spending several winters in Arizona, they moved there permanently in 1990. Golf was his passion. He was a member of the American Legion and

Elks #813 in Albert Lea. 1982 he became exalted ruler of the Elks. In past years he had belonged to Lions, Eagles, Moose, Masons and Shriners.

Surviving are his wife, Lola (Ryan) Blake, Sun City West, Ariz.; his daughter: Bonnie (Blake) Kennedy and husband Tom of Waseca; his son: Jim Blake and wife Beth of Waseca; grandchildren, Shelly (Todd) Maland of Faribault, Todd (Kerri) Kennedy of Waseca, Ryan (April) Kennedy of Rochester, Kristi Blake (Mark Mondloch) of St. Cloud and Travis Blake of Waseca; great-grandchildren: Alex, Brianna and Dylan Maland, Alysha and Nick Kennedy, Carter Kennedy, Kylie Mondlock; his sisters, Jean Hanson and Betty Johnson and husband Ralph of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law: Phyllis Blake of Alden and Rita Blake of Albert Lea; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Betty (Ron) Mathews, Lavern Ryan and friend Faith Dahl, Delores (Bill) Cooper, Roger (Diane) Ryan; many nieces and nephews; and stepmother: Leone (Blake) Moeller of Harlingen, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Margaret Blake; brothers and Richard Blake, Harold Blake; brother-in-law, Richard Hanson; great-granddaughter, Ashley Ellison; mother-in-law Ruby Ryan; and father-in-law Clarence Ryan.

Arrangements are by Camino Del Sol Funeral Chapel and Cremation Center Sun City West, Ariz. Memorial services will be held in Albert Lea with burial at Hillcrest Gardens in May.