Robert "Bob" Wilmont Blake

Robert “Bob” Wilmont Blake, age 84, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday February 18, 2025, at Our House Senior Living- Austin Memory Care. Bob was born to Reno and Virginia (Gorman) Blake on April 7,1940 in Austin. He graduated in 1958 from Pacelli High School. On August 5, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Marva Myhre, at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Together they raised three children.

Bob started working at local gas stations after high school. He also worked for a while at Lysne Construction and helped build the original I-90 bridges in Austin. He worked at American Can Company in Austin from when it opened until the company moved out of town. He then went to work in underground construction at the Austin Utilities in the gas and water department where he remained for 30 years until his retirement in 2002.

Bob’s greatest joy in his life was his family. He valued time spent with them and always was eager to be part of his children’s and grandchildren’s activities and lives. He was quick to offer guidance and advice, and to remind them to always give thanks to “the man upstairs” for the many blessings in this life. Bob loved to travel with Marva all around the world-some of his highlight destinations included Italy, Bora Bora, Iceland, and Alaska. Bob and Marva built their dream “little house in the woods” home next to Turtle Creek in 2001 and they so appreciated the quietude, nature, and wildlife of their land. Bob enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports and he also coached 7th grade basketball for several years at Queen of Angels School. Bob and Marva provided daycare for their grandchildren, Marissa, James, and Nicole, since they were very young, and he cherished the extra close relationships they got to have with the kids as they grew up. He was truly a fun and active grandpa. Bob valued the many friendships he had throughout his life through work, school, church, and his neighborhood, including special friends, Randy and JoAnn Rollie, who are viewed as family. Bob made the world a better place by being an important and valued part of so many lives. He will be forever missed. 

Survivors include his wife, Marva, of Austin; children, Bob (Susie)Blake of Pueblo, CO; Deb Smith of Grand Marais, MN, and Christina Blake of Stillwater, MN; five grandchildren, Marissa Lund, James Lund, Nicole Lund, Derek Smith, and Jessica Smith; four great grandchildren, Rowan, Kayden, Kirby, Asa; sister, Patty Kinny; and other extended family members. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reno and Virginia Blake; brothers Myron Blake and Raymond Blake; and son-in-law, Stephen Smith. 

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Bob will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, with Father Greg Leif officiating. The visitation will take place from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin and for one hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Austin. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin.