Jerry Blanke

Jerry Blanke, age 68, of Stewart Valley passed away peacefully after a very short illness on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Regina General Hospital, Regina, SK with his family by his side.

Jerry Mathew Blanke was born September 21, 1954 to Vern & Ona Blanke in Swift Current, SK. He had five brothers and two sisters and grew up with on the family farm in the Lac Pelletier, SK area. 

He went to school in Swift Current but left before he finished grade ten. He never quit learning and later in life, completed his G.E.D. He took many courses like welding, First Aid, and water services and he had University of Saskatchewan gardening classes booked for this spring.

Jerry worked from the time he was 15 and in April 1972, joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator until May 1977. He was posted to Moose Jaw, SK where he met his wife, Caroline Fallis. They were married April 17, 1976 during a major flood event in Souris, MB.

In 1977, Jerry decided he wanted to farm and moved to the Wymer farm in the Stewart Valley area with his Aunt Martha and Uncle Fred Wymer, where he worked and lived until his passing. Jerry loved farming and there were many good times and some very hard times. When things were tough, he would go and work various jobs in the oil industry. After retiring from the farm, Jerry worked at Carson’s doing reclamation and ended his working career at Saskatchewan Parks down at the Landing. Everywhere he worked, he made many friends, and was still in contact with military friends 50+ years later. 

Cooking, hunting, fishing, golfing, and curling were things that filled in his leisure time and Jerry built many things for the family farm. One of the biggest accomplishments was building his family home with his brother, Jim. Jerry’s last project was an outdoor kitchen. He built a BBQ, table, and pizza oven he would use for his family gatherings with all his grandchildren. Everything he built was solid and his table will certainly not blow away.

Jerry’s family was very important to him and in September 1978, he was so excited to become a father to twins, Melissa and Kerri. In September 1981, Stephanie was born followed by Bart, in September 1983. He was so happy and proud of his family and of what good people they grew up to become.

There are many  stories that can be told about Jerry’s life as he lived it to the fullest. He loved visiting and playing cards. He helped organize the last two Blanke reunions so the family could get together. He helped organize the fish fry in Success and was past President of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Kyle Branch. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion since 1975, and a Pennant Lions Club member.  

Jerry is survived by his wife, Caroline; his children and their families, his daughter, Melissa Linton, and her sons, Noah and Fisher Linton (Cochrane, AB); his daughter, Kerri (Dave) DeMars, and her son, Carter Blanke, and step-children, Mckenzie, Lane and Joel DeMars, (Webb, SK); his daughter, Stephanie (Jay) Pow, and their children, Fletcher and Beckett Pow (Milestone, SK); his son, Bart (Shantel) Blanke, and their children, Sadie and Russ Blanke (Swift Current, SK); his sisters, Reta Cooper and Joan Baker; his brothers, Allen (Boon) Blanke, Jim (Rusti) Blanke, Ross Blanke, and David Blanke; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Vern Blanke (1975) and Ona Blanke (1971); his brother, Kenneth Blanke; brother-in-law, Gary Baker; and by his nephew, Rob Blanke. 

A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm from the Success Community Hall, Success, SK. There was a short program with a time to share memories of Jerry followed by a luncheon. The service bulletin is attached below. 

Flowers are respectfully declined, in lieu of flower and in memory of Jerry Blanke, donations made to the Success Hall (c/o Village of Success Office, Box 40, Success, SK, S0N 2R0)  the Royal Canadian Legion #60 - Souris, MB (74 1st St S, Souris, MB, R0K 2C0) and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (9 Lancaster Rd, Moose Jaw, SK, S6J 1M8) would be appreciated by the family.

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