Gordon Albert “Gordy” Blanchette

Gordon Albert “Gordy” Blanchette age 82 of rural Tracy, formerly of Amiret and Ashton, IA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at his home. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.  Visitation is 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home.  A CCW Rosary service will be at 5:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. with a 3rd degree Knights of Columbus Rosary to follow. 

Visitation will then continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.  Interment is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Gordon Albert Blanchette was born May 30, 1929 on the family farm near Green Valley, MN, to Archie and Cordella (Dandurand) Blanchette.  He received the Sacraments at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley.  Gordy graduated from Marshall High School in 1947.  On August 30, 1949 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Kack at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  Together they lived in Amiret for a year before moving to Ashton, Iowa.  In 1956 they moved back to Minnesota, north of Tracy, where they’ve resided since.  Gordy also worked at the locker plant in Garvin for many years.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus serving as Treasurer, District Deputy for 6 years, and State Church Chair for a year.  Gordy was also a member of the Holy Name Society and the Gales Township Board from 1988 to the present, serving as Treasurer for 27 years.  He was also the Treasurer of Golden Age in Tracy.  Gordy enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, dancing, and playing cards, especially Pinochle.  He loved spending time with friends and family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Gordy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann; children: Joan (Roy) Woodford of Garvin, Jeff (Anita) of Albuquerque, NM, Robin (Randy) Hudson of Luverne, Kevin (Donna) of Richmond, Kerry (Shawn) Bonk of Appleton, Kristine (Randy) Tietz of Walnut Grove, and Rebecca (Dean) Fredericks of Mankato; grandchildren: Jennifer (Terry) Tucek, Sherry (Brad) Ilse, Jason Woodford, Jami (Shaun) Wahl, Sara and Andrew Blanchette, Jill (Josh) Arnold, Brad (Lisa) Bonk, Laura (Tim) Peterson, Dustin (Darci) Tietz, Darren (Nicole) Tietz, Denise Tietz, Ian and Derek Fredericks; great grandchildren: Ashley Johnson, Amber Hammer, Adryen, Landry K., Hayden and Quintin Tietz, Oakley Wahl, Isaiah Arnold, Sydney Bonk, Dawson and Jacey Ilse.  He is also survived by his sisters Beatrice Apger and Alice (Jim) Bjorklund, both of Gold Canyon, AZ; and many other relatives and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents.