TAMA-Robert B. Blake, age 78, of Tama and formerly of Toledo, died Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell under the care of Grinnell Hospice for a short time. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in rural Toledo. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 4 to 6:30 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama where there will be a vigil service at 6:30 PM. Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo is handling the arrangements.
Robert was born on January 30, 1932 on the family farm in Howard Township in rural Tama County, the son of Kenneth Mason and Ruth Iowa (Berger) Blake. He attended rural schools through the eighth grade. He then attended Toledo High School, graduating in 1950. Robert served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
On January 7, 1961, he was united in marriage to Darlene Weber at St. John Catholic Church in Waterloo. They lived on the family farm until 2002. He also worked for Pioneer Hybrids in Toledo until 1995. Robert was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama where he was active as a lector, commentator, and Eucharistic minister. He was also a member of the Toledo American Legion for fifty-six years. Robert enjoyed feeding the birds, rabbits and squirrels. He also enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and liked decorating his home for the holidays throughout the year. He deeply loved and appreciated his family.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and one son, Daniel.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene Blake of Tama; two daughters, Katrina Blake of Conrad and Alicia (Randy) Higginbotham of Tama and; three grandchildren, Nicole Blake, Shaun Blake and Roman Ott; two step-grandchildren, Curt Higginbotham and Rachel King; four great-grandchildren, Gabe, Madyson, Keinzle and Evan; two step-great-grandchildren, Trent and Laney; four sisters, Naomi (Carl) Anthony of Brooklyn, Margaret (Vernon) Waterman of Melbourne, Mildred (Bob) Wade of Des Moines and Mary (Bernard) Dvorak of Cedar Rapids.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.