Ruth Joyce Blake

She was born on December 24, 1931 in Gladstone, the daughter of Charles Fredrick and Ida May (Burdick) Erfourth. Ruth was raised and attended school in Gladstone and was a graduate of Gladstone High School. Following graduation, she worked at the Dime Store in Escanaba for a few years.

The former Ruth J. Erfourth married James O. Blake on January 14, 1961 in Escanaba and he preceded her in death on July 8, 1992. Together, the couple shared 31 years of marriage.

Ruth was a proud homemaker and cared for her family throughout the years. She was a former member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hyde and was active in the Ladies Aid groups. She also participated in the YMCA water aerobics classes, and took pride in distributing Meals on Wheels at Harbor Tower in Escanaba. Ruth was a member and loved attending the Escanaba Free Lutheran Church.

She enjoyed planting flowers, gardening, feeding the birds, and Sunday get-togethers with her family after church where they often played cards.

Ruth was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Ruth J. Blake is survived by her sons, Steve (Kim) Gartland of Hyde, and Bill (Kathy) Gartland of Hyde; grandchildren, Jennifer (Keith) Workman, Jason (Jennifer) Gartland, Lisa (Jeff) Possi, Steven (Jessica) Gartland, Chad Gartland, Nathan Gartland, Samantha Ewen (Jake Moras), and Amanda (Josh) Gatis; great-grandchildren, Varrah, Blake, Kenzi, Brennan, Jordan, Rylan, Koda, Oakley, Shannon, Anna, Jacob, Camaron, Aylah, Ahliena, and George; sister, Bertha (Walter) Benson of Marquette; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by her siblings, Tom Erfourth, Ted Erfourth, Mable Mickelson, Beatrice Brock, Maude Dimock, Mary Peterson, and Gordon Erfourth; and great-grandsons, Hunter and Parker Gartland.

A private family funeral service will be held at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba with Pastor Mike Cummings of the Escanaba Free Lutheran Church as the officiant. Public visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, January 18, 2021 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba.

Entombment will take place in the Gardens of Rest Mausoleum in Wells.

The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the family and online remembrances can be shared at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.