Donald Blakesley, of Kerkhoven, formally of Montevideo, died Friday, March 6, 2015 at the Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar, MN at the age of 84.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo. Rev. Marc Blakesley will officiate and interment will be at Leenthrop Cemetery, rural Maynard, MN.
Donald Warren Blakesley was born December 4, 1930 in Willmar, MN to Ralph and Edith (Wallace) Blakesley. Donald grew up on a farm and was a very hard worker. He enjoyed farming, reading, and doing mechanic work to anything he could get his hands on. He liked going to shows that featured threshers, cars, and other farm equipment. Donald was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in the US Army. He was active in the American Legion, Meals on Wheels, and in his church.
Donald is survived by his four children: Jeff Blakesley, Jerry (Louella) Blakesley, Jennifer (Keith) Hembre, and Julia (Alan) Ebbert; grandchildren: Kara, Bryce, Mason, Matt, Jamie, Ethan, Anna, James, Riley, Eli, and Delany; 3 great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul Blakesley; sisters, Peggy (Wally) Horning and Mary Beyer; ex-wife, Adella (Steen) Kaczmarek; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dick Blakesley; a sister, Rachel Martin; daughter-in-law, Kandy Blakesley; and two grandsons, Brooks and Tanner Blakesley.