Michael Blanchette, 60

Published/Last Modified on Monday, Dec 28, 2009 - 08:38:34 am CST

Michael James Blanchette passed away Dec. 23, 2009, at his home in Rapid City after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was surrounded by close family.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City from 5-7 p.m. with a vigil service to follow at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial which will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City, with the Rev. Ed Vanorny presiding.

Mike was born July 8, 1949, in Brookings to James and Lila Blanchette. They moved around to several places until settling in Philip in 1954. In 1966, the family moved to Madison where Mike graduated high school in 1967. He served in the National Guard from 1970 to 1978.

Mike moved to Kadoka during this time and met LuAnne Ruff. They married on January 8, 1972. Mike went on to attend Dakota State University for one year then transferred to USD where he graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology. Mike and LuAnne then moved to Rapid City where they raised their three boys, Christopher, Sean and Steven. In 1985, Mike earned a Masters Degree in business administration.

Mike was employed by Clinical Laboratory of the Black Hills as its Administrator for 25 years. Mike and LuAnne divorced in 1994. In 2006, his daughter, Chloe S. Christensen, was born.

Mike enjoyed golfing, motorcycle riding, gardening, cooking, hunting and spending time with friends and family — especially his little girl and grandsons.

Mike had a passion for soccer, whether he was coaching and watching his boys or volunteering his time with the Rapid City Youth Soccer League and the Rushmore Soccer Club. He was instrumental in the success of both organizations during their early years. After earning the nickname “Coach Vern” from one of his players, it stuck and he is still well known by this beloved nickname to this day. He loved coaching and left a huge impression on many of the young men he coached in Rapid City.

In February 2005, Mike mourned the loss of his youngest son, Steven Paul.

Mike is survived by his two sons, Christopher, of Rapid City, and Sean (Charis), of Fort Pierre; one daughter Chloe Christensen, of Rapid City; six grandchildren; six brothers, Lynn “Leo” (Deb), of Madison, Gayle, of Great Falls, Mont., Barry (Daryce), of Fulda, Minn., Jeff (Liz), of Palatine, Ill., David (Jane), of Madison, and Jim (Lisa), of VanNuys CA; three sisters, Susan (Bill) Hawkey, of Madison, Julie (Ken Williams) Blanchette, of Colton, and Nicole (Jason) Peddycord, of Pinckney Mich.

He was preceded in death by his son, Steven Paul Blanchette and his parents, James and Lila Blanchette.

An online guestbook is available at www.kirkfuneralhome.com

Print this story Post A Comment

WARNING:

• Comments are not verified for accuracy nor have we verified the identity of any person’s name accompanying a comment, so please consider this as you weigh any statements made or opinions offered.

NOTE:

• Comments will not be posted if submitted in all caps, or all lower case, or do not show a reasonable attempt to follow basic rules of grammar and punctuation, nor will text-message like abbreviations be accepted, like ur for your.
• Postings must stay on the issues related to the thread and not veer off into personal comments about others. The tone of the post must be civil. For example, you can say someone’s ideas are stupid but you cannot say another poster is stupid.
• Postings must deal with matters of public concern.

Comments

No comments posted.

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comments must be approved by an editor before appearing on the Web site. Editors review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.