1920 US Federal Census: George BLAKEY and Albert ROE's Families

Detail of 1920 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, George 55 M
Blakey, Lottie 48 F
Blakey, Orville 23 M
Blakey, Verland 17 M

Interestingly listed two families below the BLAKEYs are the ROEs. Seven years from now Agnes M. Roe will marry Verland BLAKEY.

Roe, Albert 43 M
Roe, Mina 39 F
Roe, Ella L. 17 F
Roe, Sherman A. 12 M
Roe, Agnes M. 10 F

Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Des Moines, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T625_841; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 97; Image: 75.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Note: Enumeration Districts 819-839 on roll 323 (Chicago City) Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920; (National Archives Microfilm Publication T625, 2076 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Wedding portraits: Verland Edward and Agnes Marie (Roe) BLAKEY

Verland Edward and Agnes Marie (Roe) BLAKEY (22 Aug 1927). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Clockwise from left: Bertha Paulson, Orville BLAKEY, Verland BLAKEY, and Agnes (Roe) BLAKEY (22 Aug 1927). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Wedding Announcement and Marriage Certificate: Verland E. BLAKEY and Agnes Roe (22 Aug 1927)

Wedding Announcement. Agnes Marie Roe and Verland E. BLAKEY (22 Aug 1927). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Marriage Certificate. Verland E. BLAKEY and Agnes Roe (22 Aug 1927). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

State of Minnesota
Certificate of Marriage County of Jackson SS.

I hereby Certify, That on the 22nd day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and Twenty Seven, at Jackson in said County, I, the undersigned, a Minister did join in the holy bonds of Matrimony, according to the laws of this State

Verland E. Blakey

of the County of Jackson, State of Minnesota, and

Agnes Roe

of the County of Jackson, State of Minnesota in the presence of

Orville Blakey
Bertha Paulson
Witnesses.

C. L. Hocking

Early Fall Nuptial of Jackson Couple

  
Wedding Articles. Verland BLAKEY and Agnes ROE (22 Aug 1927).

EARLY FALL NUPTIAL OF JACKSON COUPLE
Miss Agnes Roe and Mr. Verland Blakey Were Married Monday, August 22nd, at M. E. Parsonage

One of the pretty autumn weddings marked by simplicity took place at the Methodist parsonage in this city on last Monday morning at eleven o'clock Rev. C. L. Hocking performing the services, when Miss Agnes Roe was united in marriage to Mr. Verland Blakey. The young people were attended by Miss Bertha Paulson and Mr. Orville Blakey, the young man being a brother of the groom.

The bride wore a pretty traveling suit of blue. Her bridesmaid was also gowned in a charming suit of blue.

After the wedding ceremony at the parsonage the four young people went to the farm home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Roe of Des Moines Township where a wedding dinner was served to them, only the parents of both contracting parties being present and Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Graves, Mrs. Graves being a sister of the bride.

Immediately after the wedding dinner, the young couple left on a motor trip to the northern part of the state and in South Dakota, to be gone for several weeks. On their return they will make their home on the Blakey farm in Middletown township where they will be only about two miles from the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Graves.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey, and is a young man with a good reputation for integrity and industriousness. He has many friends who are congratulating him on this happy event in his life. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Roe of Des Moines township. She is a graduate of the class of 1927 of the Jackson high school. She is a young lady who is accomplished in household duties as well as fitting herself educationally, and will preside over her new home most graciously.

The editors of this paper have known this young lady for some years and wish her all the happiness that this life holds. We congratulate the young man. May blessings numerous preside over this new home.

Verland & Agnes Blakey observe golden wedding

"Verland & Agnes Blakey observe golden wedding" (22 Aug 1977).

Verland & Agnes Blakey observe golden wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Verland Blakey of Windom will observe their golden wedding anniversary at an open house Sunday afternoon.

The open house will be held at the American Lutheran Church in Windom from 2-5 p.m., with a short program at 2:30.

Agnes Roe and Verland Blakey were married at Jackson Aug. 22, 1927.

Their four living children are Gordon of Aurora, Colo.: Mrs. Vincent (Verla) Williams of Iowa City, Iowa; Mrs. Dalen (Sharon) Asche of Minneapolis and Mrs. Robert (Pamella) Bergan of Red Oak, Iowa. The couple also has 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Friends and relatives are invited to the open house. Gifts will not be given.

---

Fifty Golden Years – the Blakeys
by Verla (Blakey) Williams
22 Aug 1977

Who would have believed that on September 10, 1902 wheels would be set in motion culminating in our celebration today? Were George and Lottie Blakey expected to know as they rejoiced in the birth of their second son, naming him Verland Edward?

Could Albert and Mina Roe foresee as they announced the birth on August 22, 1909, of their third child and called her Agnes Marie?

And so on an evening in 1925, when Agnes and her friend Bertha were asked to go for a ride with a couple of sporting young men, even then no one would have guessed that we would all be here today. For Verland in his usual boisterous and ebullient manner, uttered only two words – good night. And Agnes, curious to find out with whom she had been, had to ask future brother-in-law Bruce who it was. Well, his reply was “if they’d given girls a ride it couldn’t have been – but when he had seen them earlier it was Verland Blakey.” Humpfh, Agnes declared, he has a pretty name, anyway.

That’s where it began – so that in 1927, on August 22, the date for this celebration today was set – when Verland Edward gave his ‘pretty ‘name’ to Agnes to share, in a quiet ceremony witnessed by friend Bertha Paulson and brother Orville Blakey.

In the early months of their married life they lived on the Blakey farm homestead where Verland assisted his father and his brother in the farming operation. But soon they decided to strike out on their own and moved to a farm in Middletown Township, Jackson County. There they endured the toils and hardship of ekeing out a living in the Great Depression; but there they enjoyed the joys and pleasures of good friends and neighbors. Even I remember the Friday night Rook parties – continued after the Blakeys had moved from Middletown, and the summer Sunday picnics held at places like Fort DeFiance where the men played softball and the women loaded the tables with all kinds of foods, much more than any of us needed. And I remember names of people like Stade, the Hassings, Graves —do you remember?

It was on the farm in Middletown that the family grew from 2 to 5 with the births of Gordon, Verla, and Averland, each momentous occasions, each remembered in minute detail, at least by Agnes. (Mothers are like that, you know.)

On a cold, cold day in mid-December Gordon was born and it was thought, I’ve been told, he was the prettiest boy they’d seen –with his thick, dark curly mop of hair.

And then on a beautiful day in April (I hear it every year) Verla decided to arrive and in short order. Doc was out on the golf course, and almost didn’t make it; but Verland made a good midwife – mid husband – and mother and daughter did fine. In fact, when Verla was about 3 weeks old she was taken on her first picnic – and she’s been a picnic ever since – or is that because Cousin Elaine dumped her out of the buggy on her head.

Two Aprils later, the third child, Averland joined the family – I don’t remember much, I must have gone visiting for the day – but I’ve heard Mom talk about all of Gordon’s dark curly hair – and Averland was the bald one.

As time moved on, so did the Blakey family – to a farm 2 miles north of Jackson, which Verland rented from Oscar Teigen. Other names emerge with their memories – Burresons, Evensons, Nasby, Teigens – Valde and Phyllis, Bertha, Julia, Andrew and Elise, Vickmark, Christenson, Nestegard, Seim.

Snatches of happenings wander in the recesses of the subconscious – family gatherings such as Grandma and Grandpa Roe’s 40th Wedding anniversary at the Graves farm; yearly Christmas celebrations with Elaine, the oldest of us cousins in charge of the program, the kids sitting on the stairs behind the banister, emerging to perform;

-- the folks going Yulebukkin, leaving all of us kids at the Graves – and we almost gave away their identity;

-- near tragedies such as Gordon falling in the water tank in the barn and luckily coming up in the same hole he fell into, the folks carrying him to the house, in freezing weather, spitting and sputtering, coughing and choking – the book Mamie Paulsen was reading to Averland and me by light of an aladdin lamp quickly laid down, warm and dry clothing and blankets brought;

-- sadnesses as when Bruce and Ella stopped by in the middle of the night to tell us Grandma Roe had quickly and quietly ended her pilgrimage on earth;

-- District 13 – with all the memories of country school living – Mom walking the snow-blocked last ½ mile with us in cold blustery weather to be sure we’d make it – and then turn around and walk back to the car, various programs with the sheet-curtain, recitations, plays, parents sitting in desks as the audience, snow forts, grass and branch huts, red-light, green-light, Captain, may I, pom pom pull away, work-up, a soft ball in the middle of my forehead, Gordon being picked on by older kids and me sticking up for him, ah, yes, country school.

Another move in the spring of 1943 brought the Blakey family here to Windom, purchasing the present homeplace. New Adventures, new friends, new names, -- Nehlsen, Barklow, Nielsen, Guttormson, Ketzenberg, Smith – new children: Sharon and Pam. I remember with what glee on an evening in February I heard Dad home from the hospital, announce Sharon ’s birth – at last I was no longer the only girl. And with what dismay I heard of Pam’s birth, because I was away at school and it was an announcement by mail. But Mom managed to talk the Dr. into an early dismissal from the hospital so while I was home for the weekend, I could hold the newborn Pam.

As the years cantered, and sometimes galloped by, changes were evident, the three oldest leaving the nest for wider horizons -- Gordon to military life for a time, then farming and finally a finishing carpenter; Verla away to school and a job or two; Averland to work in California, Idaho, Texas in landscaping. And in due time Sharon and Pam struck out on their own – Sharon into banking, and Pam into computers.

Before long the family multiplied and increased, as wives or husbands and children were added to the roster – so Agnes and Verland count their grandchildren – an even dozen to date, and a bonus of 2 great grandchildren.

Yes, countless joys have been shared through the years, as well as countless sorrows – sorrow and grief come to mind in the loss of brothers, parents, aunts and uncles, a niece and nephew and a son as Averland in the spring of 1970 succumbed to cancer, but went home to be with Jesus.

Can a life together of 50 long years, of 50 short years, they’ve been both, be summarized in a few sheets of paper? Not really – and yet the ever increasing rippling effect of their contributions to the stream of life will be noticed and noted as these grandchildren and great grandchildren and eventually great-great grandchildren make their marks in life.

Mom and Dad – congratulations and from Gordon, Averland in absence, Sharon and Pam – we say – THANK YOU FOR YOU!

Agnes Roe BLAKEY Memories (30 Jul 1992)

Growing Up

I was born in Des Moines Township, Jackson County, Minnesota, America.

My birthdate is August 22, 1909.

My parent’s full names and birthdates are:

Father Albert Roe
Mother Mina Hoganson Roe

They had the following occupations:

Father Coal hauler and farmer
Mother Housewife – Seamstress before marriage

The most memorable times we had as a family were:

On Sunday evenings sitting around the table singing hymns. Evenings when we all played a card game called bunco [?]. It was a fun game. On memorial day when we went to the cemetery.

I remember this amusing incident involving my father/mother:

The time we went to Jackson for the celebration for the ending of world war and the car stalled. We walked home. No one complained, we had such a good evening.

The time dad rolled the car on Thanksgiving day only about a mile from home. No one hurt.

The names and birthdates of my brothers and sisters are:

Ella Roe Graves – July 12, 1902
Sherman Arthur Roe – August 25, 1907

An interesting story about my brothers, sisters and me is:

The time when it was a small blizzard. Ella was always late in getting ready so as we were going to school, and Sherman and Edward Burreson went on ahead. Ella and I had just gotten up to the track when the train came, it sure whistled and we were sure the boys would not hear so well bundled up and wind blowing. We were relieved when we saw them. They had heard it in time so they had each scrambled one way and the other between two steep hills.

My grandparent’s names and birthplaces are:

On my mother’s side Semming Hoganson born in Haarset, Norway on November 12, 1856. Lena Larson was born at Hornset, Norway, a neighboring community. Was born on November 8, 1857.

On my father’s side Anders Roe born in Lerdahl, Norway, Sept. 13, 1844. Elsa Frederickson Roe, Lerdahl, Norway, Sept. 9, 1844.

This is where they lived:

When I knew them the Hogansons lived about 4 miles north of Jackson depot. The Roes lived on the same road only a couple miles further north.

This is what I remember about my grandparents:

I loved grandmother dearly. She seemed so very kind all the time. She always got up early and served Grandpa and Charlie, every day cake and coffee before they went out to chore. I just had to be up for this. She always told me when she was going to gather eggs in her apron and I could help. She taught me what glass eggs [?] were for. I wasn’t too fond of my grandfather. He teased me in a way I didn’t like. He would take horses and wagon and haul the cream to the creamery. I would ride along not so much by choice as being urged to. Looking back I think they wanted me gone for awhile. One time he said, “Can you see where I live?” I looked and looked for their grove, and when I thought I had the right one, I told him. He said, “No, I am living right here.” Grandma spoke no English. Grandpa spoke very broken English. I only knew dad’s parents slightly.

Some things I remember doing with my grandparents are:

Gathering eggs, washing hankies on the board when Grandma stood in the shade washing clothes. Taking lunch out to the field for Grandpa and riding to the creamery.

Other members of my extended family who were important to me include:

Charlie – Very kind, but I wasn’t allowed in his room. He sold me gum but I had to have my penny half way under the door before he would send the gum out. He was one of my sponsors.

Randy – She worked in a store and it was so much fun to go in there. She was also a sponsor.

In later years it was Lillie and Emma. Emma took me along on a couple trips when I was a kid. She was the most fun of all.

They were important to me because:

I suppose they were the ones that made over me.

These were the first memories I have of myself as a child:

Maybe the first one was when my Grandpa Roe asked me to go with him to the toilet. He left the door open, but my mother came out and saw us. She called me and boy, did I get spanked. We had a sack [?] swing over the driveway and one day as I was swinging the rope busted and when I came to I was sitting behind the house. I had no idea how I got there.

On the 4th of July dad always took Sherman and I to Jackson. I don’t remember anything about the celebration but we waited for time to go home because then we got an ice cream cone. We had very few toys but I would sit in the corner of the kitchen and cut out chickens from paper. Very simple ones but it would get to be a big flock.

Some humorous or memorable incidents that I remember from my childhood are:

When Edward built a raft and we took it out on the river and it tipped over. The was little more than waist deep. Sherman and I went fishing a lot and one day we caught over a hundred when we quit counting—all bullheads.

The similarities I see between my grandchildren and myself when I was young are:

Full of pep and good humor. I hope my grandparents enjoyed my visits as much as I have enjoyed mine.

When I was a child, this is how my family celebrated Christmas:

We had dad’s bachelor uncle come over for dinner. He always brought a sack of nuts and one of peanuts. No tree, no nothing. My uncle’s name was Richard Roe.

Unique celebrations my family had were:

Not unique but we always went to Hogansons for dinner on Thanksgiving. And we kids sure enjoyed that one. One Thanksgiving we did not get there. Dad rolled the car on the way. The car never did have a top again. No one hurt.

When I was a child, some of the gifts I received and gave on holidays were:

The gifts were few and far apart. I can remember one year mother was telling me about the great gift Sherman was making for me and how disappointed I was. It was a plain old board shaped like an ironing board. I suppose I was at the age of playing with dolls and maybe it was a great accomplishment for him. If Mother just had not said anything. I got a slipover sweater from Emma one Christmas but I was just blossoming and it was tight. I used it very little tho’ I did need it.

My responsibilities on holidays included:

I had no responsibilities. I left home at 13. I can’t remember giving any gifts ‘til I was grown.

The pets I had as a child, and their names, were:

I had a pig named Asley. Since he had given it to me, Dad carried it home under his coat once when we had been down there. It was a runt but sure did not stay that way. He roamed around the place and came to the house to be fed. The family had a dog named Anton after one of the neighbors. Sherman and I thought a lot of that dog. He was just a mixture.

The one thing I remember most about my pet(s) is:

When I had to sell Asley. Dad took him down in the sled and I went along. I got 56 dollars for him. Then mother told at the supper table that night how they would kill him. I would gladly have given back the money if I could have gotten him back. The one thing I remember most about Anton was Sherman and I worrying about him during a bad storm. We were in the basement. All windows were gone, the bridge across the river went and of course all crops, but Anton was safe under the porch.

I remember when a candy bar cost 5 cents, I could go to the movies for 25 cents and gasoline was 15 cents per gallon.

When I was a child, William H. Taft and Woodrow Wilson were Presidents of the U.S.

My favorite meal my mother made, and what made it so special, was:

When dad would have a little money left from his cream check after gas and tobacco he would buy steak. Mother would sure pound it and brown it, pour cream on it and it would simmer a long time. Was that ever good. Also when mother made [illegible] (Norwegian) she would start with a big bottle of milk and end up with a small bowl, but it was divided between us. Elise made it for me once here in Windom.

These are some of the things I remember about trips my family took as I was growing up:

I went with mother and dad to Sioux Falls to visit dad’s aunt and to Redwood Falls to visit Randy and Herman when they lived there.

This is how I would describe the house and neighborhood I lived in as I was growing up:

The house was comfortable as to size, but always cold in the winter time because just a cook stove was used to heat it. Hot in the summer. A big grove in front on the north and that same cook stove. The neighborhood very friendly. Neighbors enjoyed each other back then.

These are ways that neighborhood has changed over time:

Not many left of those that lived there then and not the togetherness there was.

When I started school I was 6 years old. My favorite and least favorite subjects were:

My favorite was math and reading. My least favorite were geography and history.

One of my favorite teachers in elementary school—and why—was:

Anna Jenson later married and was Fawcett. She was our teacher for 4 years.

This is how I got to school each day:

Walked the railroad tracks.

Things I enjoyed doing most as a child were:

On winter evenings playing bunco. Summer—chasing fireflies and hide and go seek. Edward and I spent hours in a play house on the bank of the creek between his place and ours. Oh, for the mud pies we made.

These are the things I remember most about my teen-age years (friends, activities, school, special events, favorite foods and songs, jobs, heroes, etc.):

Very few activities, no money and no time. I tried roller skating once, I went to one girls’ basketball game. I did not enjoy high school. I worked for Eastvolds [?] at the parsonage for almost 2 school years. Summers I worked for Mother doing house work and sometimes helped fold papers at the reporter office where they put our a weekly paper. The last two years I worked at Clozes [?]. Part of the time at the house and part time at the store. I enjoyed most all foods. The last two years of school Bertha was my friend. I had others in school when I stayed at Eastvolds but very little time to spend with them outside of school.

This is how I would describe myself when I was a teenager:

Quiet, inferior feeling, seemed it was always work. There was nothing to go home for. No money to do anything with. When I worked money went for what I needed. Even paid my own dentist bill.

This is what I remember about my first date:

I don’t recall my first date, but he was from Iowa. He had a friend, Bertha and I went, but together with them. I can’t remember the name of the girl that introduced us. We went with them to Okoboji on 4th of July. And when talked about it afterward what good spenders they were. They each spent about $20.

Things that are different now than they were when I was growing up are:

Kids now don’t have the responsibility we had. They don’t work like we did, they have much money that comes easy which we did not have. Few had the clothes that they do now. Parents did not take us places like they do now. No one used babysitters, the children went with us. We sat still in church without something to play with or to eat.

Other comments I have about growing up:

The folks took me no place. I walked to take my music lessons. We always walked to school in all kinds of weather. The mailman usesd horses and was usually right on time. I rode with ours when I went to Eastvolds to work. Otherwise I would have had to walk.

Employment

My first job was:

At Eastvolds where I did housework and took care of two kids. I had Friday night off and Sunday afternoon and evening.

The work that I did in that job involved:

Cleaning, baking, ironing and taking care of the kids.

The things that I especially remember about my first job were:

Work, good food and more work. Being very tied down. I could only go out Friday nights until 10 and Sunday afternoons.

Other employment I have had over the years included:

Mallahans [?] in the summer, and in the last of high school I worked at Clozen [?] house and store. I also washed windows in spring and fall. One lady was so tight, she thought I was taking too long so decided they just needed wiping off. She was supposed to be wealthy. Guess that’s the way she got it.

The jobs I liked the best, and why I liked them, were:

The store. I like people and it was the most interesting.

The jobs I disliked the most were:

Cleaning and washing windows.

Some important things I have learned in choosing a career are:

[Left blank.]

Marriage and Children

This is how I met my spouse:

On a mud hole ride [?] with Joe Graves [?] at the [illegible] and Bertha with him. Joe did not introduce us so I had no idea who he was. The next Sunday night Joe came up and asked me. Verland did not have the nerve.

Before we were married, we dated each other for about 2 years.

We were married on August 22, 1927.

When were first married, we lived:

With Verland’s folks for 1 and 1/2 years. Then we moved to a farm south of Jackson where we were happy. Had good neighbors. Uncle Erv [?] and Aunt Ella Pierson lived about a mile and a half from us. Gordon, Verla and Averland were all born there.

We bought our first house (and farm) in 1942 for about $11,000. Our first car was a Whippit [?] and cost about $[Left blank.]

This was the rage in music, dance and clothes when we were first married:

Most of our clothes were made and we were not style conscious.

These are the homes and communities I have lived in since I was married, and here is how they’ve changed over the years:

The place in Middletown township south of Jackson, the place we rented from Oscar Teigen north of Jackson. The place we bought northeast of Windom.

Some important things I have learned about marriage are:

Don’t always want your own way. Work together. Be thoughtful of the other one, remembering the wishes of the other one are as important as yours. Live within your means.

These are the names and birthdays of my children:

Gordon – December 19, 1929, Verla – April 28, 1932, Averland – April 9, 1934, Sharon – February 20, 1946, Pamella – Nov. 9, 1949.

My spouse and I and our children celebrated Christmas, birthdays and other holidays by:

Christmas we got together with other relatives. We had a nice program honoring Jesus’ birthday, exchanged gifts and had a good meal together.

Birthdays were celebrated with some other relatives if possible and we always had a birthday cake.

Family traditions that we began were:

Our Christmas gatherings. Thanksgiving spent with the Blakeys. Grandma always made a very good dinner. We did have them for Christmas along with my our relatives.

These are the traditions which I hope my children and grandchildren will carry on with their own families:

To have Christmas like we have had.

I best remember these trips which our family took as our children were growing up:

We went to Duluth to visit Sherman. Averland and Sharon went along. We stayed about a week. They lived at Lutson [?] and had a small group of cabins. We went to Harlingen, Texas to see Verla. Averland, Sharon, and Pam were with us. This was at Christmas time.

I remember these humorous or memorable stories about our children as they were growing up:

Gordon falling off a load of corn. Being run over by a horse, but she just knocked him over and stepped over him. Fell off the arm of the day bed and knocked himself. He was really sick the rest of the day. Dad backing over Verla but left her with just a black and blue lump on her forehead.

My grandchildren remind me of my own children in these ways:

Peppy, enjoy life.

What I have enjoyed most about being a parent is:

The companionship I have had through all these years. The many things I learned as they were learning. Being able to give and do more for them than I had.

Some of the things I have learned as a parent are:

Be a part of each child. Every one is different and each one is precious, but each one has to grow up to be himself or herself.

This is what I have enjoyed about being a grandparent:

Enjoying them without having the responsibility that went with being a parent.

This is how I would describe our family over the years, in terms of its character and unique aspects:

I have felt that our family has been close knit family. We enjoy being together and have tried to help one another accomplish what is important to them. We have tried to be the kind of parents that our children could turn to.

Other Areas of My Life

As an adult, I have enjoyed these hobbies or pastimes:

Crocheting, making quilt tops, going with lady friends on short trips. I enjoy writing letters.

If I could teach a special hobby or skill to my grandchildren, I would choose:

I would like to teach them several kinds of hand work.

My faith has influenced and contributed to my life in these ways:

I have not been concerned about having enough things that are really needed. It has given me a deep concern for the children. It has given a peace in illness.

This is what I remember about the church activities I was involved in over the years:

Sunday school teaching, Bible school teaching, Zion society circles, Chairman of circles.

As an adult, these friends have been especially important to me:

Ruth, Lina [?], Bertha, Elenora Olson.

Friendships have enriched my life by:

By being there when I needed someone to talk to – Ruth. Taking me along for fun trips – Lina. A good friend when I was in my teens – Bertha. By needing me and always being good natured – Elenora.

Numerous historical events have occurred during my lifetime (the depression, World War II, the Korean War, the war in Vietnam, the assassinations of important leaders, the space program and many more). Some events that I particularly remember or that affected my life, and the reasons why, include:

The depression taught me a lot. Neighbors became more important, we learned to make do with what we had.

When the war quit we went to the celebration. Such happiness I will never forget.

As I look back over the events of my life, the things that made me the happiest and about which I feel especially proud are:

Having a home of my own. Each time a baby arrived, the time Gordon arrived so cute and perfect. Each one after that was equally precious.

As I look to the future, I have these hopes and goals for our family and for myself:

That each family will be happy and grow stronger in their Christian life. That all four families will enjoy each other and have no conflict between them.

For myself that I might never doubt Christ’s love or His saving grace and be ready to say goodbye when he comes for me.

Obituary: Agnes M. BLAKEY (5 Aug 2004)

Screenshot from JacksonCountyPilot.com (18 May 2006). Image courtesy of Web Archive.org. Also cached at Ancestry.com.

Agnes M. Blakey, 94

Funeral services for Agnes M. Blakey of North Mankato were held Monday afternoon, Aug. 9, at the Sathe-Osterberg Funeral Home in Jackson, with Pastor Ed Wenger, Pastor Jon Campbell and Pastor Carter Krumbach officiating. Agnes M. Blakey died Aug. 5, 2004, at her daughter's home in North Mankato. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson.

Casket bearers were her grandsons: Ryan Bergan, Joshua Bergan, Larry Blakey, Lynden Blakey, Kelsey Asche and Mark Williams. Lois Thoreson was the organist, Jo Olson sang a solo, and George Bakalyer and Sandy Robinson sang a duet. Funeral arrangements were in care of the Sathe-Osterberg Funeral Home of Jackson.

Agnes Marie Roe, daughter of Albert and Mina (Hoganson) Roe, was born Aug. 22, 1909, in Des Moines Township, Jackson County. She attended country school and later graduated from Jackson High School in 1927.

On Aug. 22, 1927, she was united in marriage to Verland E. Blakey in Jackson. After marriage, they farmed in Jackson County and later in Cottonwood County. They moved into Jackson in 1995. After Verland's death on July 24, 1996, Agnes continued to make her home in Jackson. She later moved to North Mankato in 1998, and four months ago she moved in with her daughter.

Agnes was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She had been a member of the Living Word Lutheran Church in Windom and the Hilltop Community Church in Jackson, and she attended the Word of Life Free Lutheran Church in Mankato. She was very active in the churches, teaching Sunday school for many years, in circles, and Ladies Aid and in the Zion Society. Agnes made many sweaters and quilts for layettes to be sent to the Lutheran World Relief, and she loved to do handwork - crocheting.

Agnes is survived by one son, Gordon and wife Shirley Blakey of Brighton, Colo.; three daughters, Pam and husband Tom Wilmes of North Mankato, Verla and husband Vincent Williams of Iowa City, Iowa, and Sharon and husband Dalen Asche of Bloomington, Minn.; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one niece, Elaine Graves of Jackson; and two nephews, Roland and wife Mari Graves of Rochester, Minn., and Sid Roe of Arizona.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Verland Blakey; one son, Averland Blakey; one brother, Sherman Roe; one sister, Ella Graves; and one son-in-law, Robert Bergan.

Agnes Marie Roe BLAKEY Memorial (1909-2004)

Memorial. Agnes Marie Roe BLAKEY (1909-2004). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.