Richard Blaker

Richard "Dick" H. Blaker, age 83, a resident of Siren died July 18, 2011 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Dick was born on December 23, 1927 in Minneapolis to Henry and Martha Blaker. He married Cindy Howland Nelson on April 7, 2001 in Siren. Dick worked in a rocket factory in California before taking a job with the United States Postal Service where he worked for over 25 years. He was a member of the Otis Taylor American Legion Post 96, and a member of the Burnett County Citizens Patrol. In his free time, Dick enjoyed bowling. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Coral; his sisters Dorothy Hanley and Betty Gonella; his brothers George Blaker and Edward Blaker. He is survived by his wife Cindy; daughters Natalie (Kirk) McElderry, Neela (Mike) McLafferty, and Naomi Nelson; grandchildren Paige, Annabela, and Liam; his nieces and nephews Holly Zick, Kathleen Deruska, Mary Bullock, Judy Ludders, Nancy Young, Allen Gonella; along with many great nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, July 22, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St . John the Baptist Catholic Church, Webster with Father Michael Tupa as celebrant. Music will be provided by Kim Simon. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.