Blake Christensen

Blake Christensen, 68, of Rochester, Minn., passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021.  He was born January 22, 1953, to Barbara Jean (Husby) and Gene Christensen formerly of Canton, Minn.  After attending grade school there, he and his only sibling – younger sister Cherie – moved with their parents to Preston, Minn.  

During high school, Blake was active in band and sports, as well as working at the IGA before and after graduating from Preston High School, and as a paramedic for the Preston Fire Department.  He also played trombone and percussion in the Lee Hall Band, traveling around southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa entertaining lovers of Big Band as well as “pop” music, both of which he continued for more than 20 years with various other bands, as well.  

Following his tenure as assistant manager at IGA, he moved on to his passion – music – as a school musical instrument representative for Schmitt Music in Rochester, quickly earning a promotion to department manager, then in short order becoming store manager.  After many successful years there, Schmitt Music asked him to go to their Omaha, Nebr., store to “work his magic” as manager of that Schmitt Music store, where he and his family resided for five years, when he transferred back to the Minnesota Schmitt’s stores.  After leaving Schmitt Music, he continued as a sales representative for various companies until his retirement.

Blake and his family enjoyed their frequent times together – boating, fishing, water skiing, cross-country skiing, and downhill snow skiing, as well as several international and local trips, to name just a few.

Blake will be remembered by his family and many friends for his pride, joy, and good times as well as his sense of humor, his generosity, his willingness to do things for people, his love of playing silly, harmless tricks and/or jokes, as a hard worker, and being a good and reliable friend. 

Blake’s mother and father preceded him in death.

Blake is survived by his son Nathan Christensen of Apple Valley, Minn., daughters Amy Christensen of Rochester and her sons Jordan and Riley, and Andrea (Brandon) Stull of Wellington, Colo., and their sons Joey and Toby; his former wife, Cheryl Christensen of Fort Collins, Colo.; his sister Cherie (Doug) Flaby and their three children: Sabri Flaby of Preston, Minn., Matthew (Michelle) Flaby of Wykoff, Minn., and Mike (Gina) Flaby of Harmony, Minn., and their children; and grandchildren, and numerous cousins.

A private family memorial service will be held.