Shirley A. Blake

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Shirley A. Blake, 85, of Fargo, ND, passed away August 1, 2023, at Eventide Sheyenne Crossings in West Fargo, ND. 

Shirley Ann Kruse was born October 9, 1937, the daughter of Carl and Augusta (Zaudtke) Kruse in Pine City, MN.  As a young girl she moved with her family to Hinckley, MN, where she graduated from Hinckley High School.  She then moved to St. Paul, MN, where she worked for Twin City Federal Bank. 

On August 23, 1956, she was united in marriage to Harold Blake in Kroschel, MN.  They made their home in Sandstone, MN, before moving to Northeast Minneapolis, MN, and settling in Spring Lake Park, MN.  While living in Spring Lake Park, Shirley worked various jobs while raising her family.  In February of 1979, Shirley and Harold moved to Fargo.  She worked for JoAnn Fabrics and served as the Wedding Coordinator at Bethel Church for 27 years, coordinating 225 weddings.  She also served as an election judge and inspector for Cass County.  For a number of years, Shirley served on the ND Commission for Aging under Governor’s Schaffer, Hoeven and Dalrymple. 

She was a longtime member of Bethel Church where she sang in the choir, volunteered as a greeter, and helped organize the Sunday School curriculum.  For many years Shirley and Harold opened their home to fourteen unwed mothers-to-be and provided them with a safe and secure place to live. 

Shirley was a gifted seamstress and loved sewing. Some of her creations included her daughter’s wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses for her daughter’s and son’s weddings.  She also enjoyed decorating cakes.  One memorable moment was on a trip to Israel where Shriley had the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River. 

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Harold; daughters, Susan (Ron) Golberg, and Shar Weflen, both of Park Rapids, MN; son, Scott (Melody), Moorhead; grandchildren, Carice (Mel) Cummings, Park Rapids, Devin Golberg, Park Rapids, Christine Blake, Fargo, Michael (Stef) Blake, Moorhead, David Blake, Fargo and Jasmin (Alex) Kasin, Fargo; great-grandson, Becket Blake; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ronald, Marlin, and Alvin; and son-in-law, Dave Weflen. 

Funeral Services for Shirley will be Thursday, August 10, 2023, at 11:00 AM, in Bethel Church, Fargo, ND, with a visitation one hour prior to her service.  A burial will follow in Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead.

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)