John Edwin Blockhus

1944 - 2021

John Edwin Blockhus

(1944 - 2021) John passed away January 20, 2021 at home with his three children present, filling all space with love. He will be remembered by his numerous family members as being a man who enjoyed life and had fun in all that he did. He showed his love for all of us in many ways and his cheerful disposition was contagious. He brought us joy. Members of our community may remember him for the cookies he shared, and others will recall that he was the first person in Kitsap County to receive a heart transplant. That was 32 ½ years ago. He was one of the longest living recipients in the world. The longest is 34 years.

John was born in Bremerton, WA to Carl and Maxine (Fry) Blockhus on October 22, 1944. He attended Smith Elementary School, Coontz Jr. High, West High School (graduating in 1963), Olympic College, and the University of Washington (graduating in 1973 in Mechanical Engineering). He joked about taking so long to graduate from college. He said that attending evening classes at OC was the best thing he did to get the hang of college. It became enjoyable after that.

John's first job was at McGavin's Bakery in Bremerton, home of the famous Pink Champagne Cake. He loved baking and eventually taught friends and family members how to decorate a cake with gorgeous roses, leaves, and trim. Thus, began his baking fun. Cakes were first, then cookies - all types, but eventually Norwegian cookies and lefse. His grandchildren would most often request fattigman, krumkaker, chocolate chip cookies, or Rice Krispy Treats. Fortunately, he passed his recipes and tips on to his children and grandchildren. Prior to having grandchildren, John would make cookies for every game in which his daughter, Stina, played. That included soccer and softball from junior high into college. They were mostly for the team, but there was always enough for the parents on the sidelines. Later, he made cookies for friends and the medical staff of the numerous offices he attended.

John went through the Apprenticeship Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and then the College Engineering Program offered by the Shipyard. He became best friends with three other apprentices who called themselves the "Fearsome Foursome." Troy Hall, George Prichard, Jim Sura, and John continued to be close friends through the years. After beginning his career in Shop 17 and ending it in Code 290, he retired after serving 40 years, 6 months, and 10 days at PSNS.

John married Ingrid Andersen in 1969. They were both half Norwegian and Ingrid's family was active in the Sons of Norway fraternal organization, specifically Oslo Lodge #2-35 in Bremerton. John became a member and made lots of new friends and lots of new cookies!! He had been a member for 52 years when he passed away.

The Fraternal Order of Elks Lodge #1181 of Bremerton was an important part of his life. He was an active member who went through the officer chairs up to Leading Knight. He was enjoying this role when he had a heart attack in Seattle and life changed for him and his family. He was lovingly supported by his numerous friends in the Elks Organization and they held an immensely rewarding fund-raiser event which John and Ingrid attended. He had been a member for 49 years at the time of his passing.

John shared with his children, Erik, Karl, and Stina, valuable lessons. Many pertained to safe driving, maintaining your car, operating a boat safely, how to work on boat motors, home repair and construction, measure twice and cut once, and his all-time favorite was P^7 about planning ahead. These turned out to be of great value as they experienced life. The greatest lessons were those about becoming a person of integrity.

One of his nicknames could be Mr. Trivia. He knew Bremerton backwards and forwards. He remembered names, places, and business locations for the last 65 years. Friends and family would often hear him say while passing through town something like "There is the house I grew up in on Washington Avenue. We would play a lot of hide-and-go-seek with the neighborhood kids there. The best hiding spot is just across the street, under the sidewalk." He would end that bit of information with "True story."

John is survived by his son Erik Blockhus, wife Jennie, and children Stian, Leif, and Marit of Kenmore, WA; son Karl Blockhus, fiancé Katie, and her daughter Lyndsey of Poulsbo, WA; daughter Stina Miller, husband Ryan, and children Tove, Soren, and Atle of Kenmore, WA; former wife and best friend Ingrid Hueneke and husband Hedrick of Bremerton, WA; sister Janice Thoemke and husband Howard of Allyn, WA; brother Gary Blockhus and wife Judi of Bremerton, WA; and numerous extended family members. At John's request there will be no formal service, but you may honor him by baking some cookies to share with your friends and family.