Cordell Emil Blomberg

Cordell Blomberg was a Beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Friend, Mentor, and faithful servant of God. He went peacefully to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday August 9th at 4:00 a.m. Cordell lived an exceedingly cup overflowing, abundant life surrounded by his beautiful wife JoAnne of 57 years (partner in crime) and his beloved daughter and son, Tonya and Brandon.  

Cordell Emil Charles Blomberg was born May 9, 1940, in Raymond, Minnesota to the late Emil Conrad Henry Blomberg and Alice Johanna Anette Molenaar. Cordell was the middle child of two siblings, Josephine and Carl Blomberg. He was a proud graduate of Raymond, MN High School Class of 1958. He was active and made his mark in basketball, baseball, football, and band.  

Cordell’s life was deeply rooted in his family first attitude. His Love for his wife, his best friend and partner, Joanne Marie Ahlbrecht, represent 57 years of faithful marriage. They are a true example of Love. Together, they created a life of devotion, adventure, love, and curiosity by traveling across forty-eight states; only Vermont and Alaska they had not explored. The most treasured trips were to Italy in 2016, their 50th wedding anniversary trip to Oregon Coast as a family, traveling to Crested Butte, Colorado to be with their son to celebrate the 4th of July at the Crested Butte Fire Department annual pancake breakfast. He loved watching Brandon organize the event and be the expert pancake flipper. The Fall vacation in New Mexico visiting the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and traveling to Japan to attend his Niece, Retired Colonel Julie Masferrer Stola, pinning to be Colonel in the United States Air Force. Cordell loved that trip and was so proud of Julie, which is his sister Josephine’s daughter. Cordell’s favorite places were Destin, Florida where they spent their winters for over 20 years. Cordell and Jo enjoyed the sunrises, sunsets, looking for the dolphins, and so many beach walks. In 2025 Cordell logged 132,000 steps while in Destin for the Winter! Precious to Cordell was Living at Majestic Oaks for over 20 years. Cordell loved sharing the stunning views of the golf course with Jo, playing golf, sitting on the deck, and having coffee and toast in the morning, many dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and enjoying a glass of wine on the porch, and hosting neighbors. Ingrained in Cordell was Hospitality; all the neighbors knew it and enjoyed it! Cordell loved the Mississippi and Rum Rivers, pontoon boating, finding new local restaurants, organizing family reunions (ensuring there was always great food), and grilling outside with his son Brandon.  

Once retired, Cordell loved walking everyday and tracking his steps [YTD 2025 completed 289,509 steps, 2024 completing 609,943 steps]; perseverance! Cordell loved sports and took great pride in the MN Twins, Golden Gophers, MN Vikings picks, MN Wild Hockey, and Golf. Cordell loved talking sports with Brandon, especially MN Wild Hockey. Cordell knew every stat and loved sharing that with his son. Cordell had a special bond with his best friend Zane Taylor, talking college basketball stats, especially the Tennessee Volunteers, and their weekly check in calls. What rooted them both was their deep faith in God and family. Cordell also looked forward to his weekly coffee meetings with his friend Dean Fleming of 40 years, talking “shop” of sales calls, and sharing there Faith together. Cordell also kept his mind active through his love of Sudoku, puzzles, and word searches.   

Cordell’s love for his children was unparalleled; he would do anything for them. Tonya and Brandon always felt loved. After returning from business travel, he would ensure he was at Brandon’s hockey and baseball games. Cordell loved talking with Brandon and hearing about all his fire trainings, the varying fire calls Brandon would be part of with the Crested Butte Fire Department. Everyone on the CBFD knew Cordell. Upon many visits to Crested Butte, he loved having Brandon show him all the new equipment. Cordell coached Tonya’s softball teams, attended her piano recitals, and cheered at her basketball games. Later in life, Cordell so enjoyed doing store checks with his daughter Tonya, taking merchandising photos for her, and talking business shop talk. His greatest joy was having Brandon and Eliza in MN this past summer where the entire family could be together. Brandon started breadmaking, which just gave Cordell the biggest smiles! Cordell always wanted to be present.   Cordell’s love for God and people lead him to meaningful relationships with friends, neighbors and strangers alike ensuring they felt valued. Cordell had a deep respect for our American Flag at the core of his being. Every morning, Cordell placed the flag on display on the back deck and rolled it tightly and brought it in every night. Cordell believed in strong faith-based values and treating others as he himself would want to be treated. What Cordell valued most was being a husband and father. 

Cordell’s greatest calling, outside of being a strong, faithful husband and father, came through his career as a multidimensional Sales Leader within the food and beverage industry. His roles spanned fifty plus years throughout many successful businesses from West to East, North to South racking up 2 million miles. Cordell received the Million Miler Club status from Delta airline. People first was his motto. He paved the way for his daughter Tonya who continues his legacy in the food sales industry. Cordell started out in Minneapolis at Ecklund Coffee Company selling products to hotels and restaurants in Minneapolis. He would always say he did not have training in sales, he just knew how to be a people person. From there Cordell worked for Kings Food Host, in Lincoln Nebraska, opening new restaurants and training employees in one hundred company owned stores across seventeen states. This is where he met his beautiful wife JoAnne, which spurred their love of food and exploring new restaurants. Cordell then joined Rich Products of Buffalo New York as Sales Manager. He loved this role, managing multiple salespeople, tech people, and brokers. Cordell received the coveted Crystal Buffalo award for Superior Sales along with twelve trips for Superior Sales Achievements. Cordell attended a 2-year Dale Carnegie Leadership Course in addition to Rich Products Motivational programs. His next role would take him from west to east, north to south building the McGlynn Bakeries Taste of France Croissant Division and then Concept 2 Bakers Frozen Bakery Division. This is where Tonya joined him in building sales and merchandising programs. Cordell would also support his son Brandon in launching a Food Truck business in Crested Butte, Colorado. Cordell’s last role after “retiring” was working at Hy-Vee Wine Store, at the age of 75-79 and won employee of the month! He loved it! In addition, Cordell would care for a family friend battling Alzheimer’s. Cordell was always putting others above himself.   We want to express our deepest heartfelt Thank-You to all the cardiac teams, special note to Dr. Jason Garlie, his cardiologist for 11 years, nurses, and doctors at Mercy Hospital. In addition, our deepest gratitude to Cordell’s beloved oncologist and hematologist, Dr Noel Laudi and team at MN Coon Rapids Oncology. Dr. Laudi was his trusted physician, confidant, and friend. The staff always stated that Cordell was a bright light when he would come for his appointments. Cordell knew everyone by name and built valued relationships with all the staff. We are eternally grateful for the CLL Society that supported our family for 11 years.  

In Lieu of flowers, please consider giving or volunteering to the CLL (Chronic Lymphocyte Leukemia) Society; cllsociety.org, or Mercy Health Foundations to help support the exceptional care at Mercy Hospital.  

Cordell exemplified the following verses throughout his life: Mathew 25:21 “His master replied, well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. “ 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” A private family memorial gathering will be held Friday, August 22nd at Thurston’s-DeShaw Funeral Home. [13817 Jay Street NW, Andover MN 55304].  

10:00 – 11:00 Private closed family gathering. 11:00 – 12:30 Family only Christian service and sharing.  12:30 Departure for private burial at Glen Cary cemetery (Glen Cary Is Scottish name meaning Beautiful Valley) in Ham Lake. [15531 Central Avenue NE Ham Lake, Mn 55304].  

Cordell’s request was to have a Celebration of Life with all his friends, family, and former colleagues. Cordell’s specific request was to share great food, great memories and celebrate a life well lived! Come prepared, if desired, to share stories and times with Cordell that impacted your lives. As Cordell says, “People first!” 

Celebration of Life, August 24th, Sunday from 1:00-5:00 (2:00 Tribute to Cordell starts) The Historic Mill Site, Event Center on the Rum River.  111 Harrison Street, Anoka MN 55303. 

We look forward to celebrating Cordell’s amazing life together! The Blomberg Family; Jo Anne, Tonya, Brandon, and Eliza.