Thomas John Blake

Redfield: Thomas John Blake left our world to join the angels on Nov. 24, 2009, at Children's Hospital of Omaha, Neb. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Redfield, S.D. on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, with prayer service to follow. Mass of the angels will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at St. Bernard's Church. After a time for fellowship and lunch, Thomas will be laid to rest in Miller, S.D., at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery with Msgr. Edward Burian and Fr. William Osborn officiating. thelenfuneralhome.com

The day of his Grandpa Tom's birthday, his family was blessed with his glorious birth, May 6, 2009, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, S.D. At two days old, he was diagnosed with a heart condition, and at 19 days old underwent open heart surgery at Children's Hospital in Omaha. Surgery being extremely successful, Thomas returned home to be surrounded by his faithful parents, loving sisters, family and friends.

Thomas was such a happy baby, content and loved to be held and snuggled, he always looked you right in the eyes. He loved taking showers, baths, playing with his toys, and he loved to eat. Thomas cherished sleeping and showering with Jonni, his early morning time with Baylee, being mothered by Abbi and being "petted" by Sydnee. He spent many hours watching bull riding with Daddy and cooking meals, folding clothes, going to sporting events and hanging out with Mommy. Thomas loved to sit on Grandma Marilyn's lap, get smooched on by Grandma Cherri and have Grandpa Johnny run his legs and play 'this little piggy'. Thomas had the cutest smile, crooked and sweet. His eyes were the prettiest blue and were the object of many compliments.

Thomas was loved and adored by so many people everywhere he went. On Oct. 22, 2009, Thomas returned to Children's Hospital to have a procedure to improve a narrowing in an artery of his heart the next day. Complications following the procedure resulted in multi-organ failure and Thomas remained in critical condition for the next 32 days. In Thomas' last days, he achieved many things. He showed tremendous strength, courage, endurance and love. Thomas had many followers on his Caring Bridge Web site and obviously touched and enriched many lives. Family and friends that were able to share in Thomas' life will never be the same.

Thomas is survived by his mother, Kori, and father, Brent; sisters who loved him, Jonni Layne, Baylee Rose, Abigail Ellen and Sydnee Renee, all of Tulare, S.D.; maternal grandparents, Cheryl and John Knippling, of Gann Valley, S.D.; paternal grandmother, Marilyn Blake, of St. Lawrence, S.D.; great-grandmother, Carol Stephens, of Miller, S.D.; aunts and uncles: Monte (Steph) Knippling, Mark Knippling, Kelly (Mark) Gran, Nancy (Chuck) Fechner, Kate Crosby, Marsha (Jim Kinsolving) Blake, Robert (Coly) Blake, Sandy (Jeff) Naber, Renee (Todd) Kennedy, and many cousins, great-aunts and uncles and friends.

Thomas is preceded in death by his Grandpa Tom Blake, Uncle Brian Blake and Aunt Rhonda Blake.