Mary Marie Blake

Mary Marie Thompson Gallagher Blake came into the world a bit faster than expected, being born at home in Rochester, Minnesota on January 1, 1963, attended to by her dad and with her three older siblings wondering what was going on!  Following her birth, she and her mother were transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, where all was found to be well.  Mary was raised and attended school in Rochester, including Mayo High School.  She spent many summers with her siblings and cousins at their grandparents’ farm near Esmond, ND.   Mary was always smiling, friendly, and made friends wherever she went.  She always wanted to help others, and would often do so, regardless of the impact it had on her.

Mary gave birth to a son in 1982, and out of an abundance of love but also great sorrow, placed him for adoption. Mary married Larry Gallagher in Minneapolis, MN in 1983, and joined the Army Reserves.  She was very proud of her Army service. Mary and Larry parted ways and she moved to Denver, CO in 1990. She was happy to be called into active duty for Operation Desert Shield in August 1991, when she was sent to Saudi Arabia.  She was discharged from the army following her return and recovery at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver.  Mary moved to Arizona in 1998, where she met Scott Blake.  She had two children, the joys of her life, Anthony and Autumn.  Mary remained in Arizona for the remaining years of her life.  With great joy, Mary was able to spend Mother’s Day weekend 2021 with all three of her children and her siblings.

Mary is survived by her children: Jason Bruns and wife Heather, and their 3 sons Oscar, Emmett, and Ived, all of Minnesota; Anthony Scott Blake of Bagdad, AZ, and Autumn Rayn Blake of Prescott Valley, AZ; siblings Kathy Laqua, of Minnesota; Linda Medina, of Colorado; Jamie Thompson, of Colorado, and Alan Thompson, of Minnesota; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her oldest brother, Paul Thompson, her grandparents, Billy & Katherine Preuss, a nephew, Alex “Herm” Laqua, and her parents, Merwin and Carol Jean (Preuss) Thompson.