Eileen Bernadette Blooflat

Eileen Bernadette Sheehy Blooflat, age 86, of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026, in Fort Ripley, Minnesota.

Eileen was born on March 3, 1939, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Bernard and Nora (Trant) Sheehy. She spent her early childhood in Washington, D.C., and later in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where she was lovingly raised by her Uncle Paul and Aunt Uriel Cook. She was dedicated Catholic and was proud of her Irish heritage, and also learned how to dance the Irish Jig.

Eileen pursued a career in nursing and graduated from St. Theresa's in Winona, Minnesota, earning her BSN in nursing. She dedicated much of her life to caring for others, both professionally and within her family. She ran her own business for several years, providing foot care to diabetic and elderly clients.

Eileen married Archie Blooflat, Jr., and together they had three children: Bennett, Nora, and Archie. They raised their family in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, where they made their home for 37 years.

Eileen had a love for travel and experienced many memorable journeys, including trips overseas to Israel, China,Norway, Ireland, Japan, and an Alaska cruise, among others. She also enjoyed fishing for walleye in the lakes of Minnesota, spending time with her family, and taking pictures of the barges and those fishing in Hastings, coffee time with friends, playing dominoes, helping others as they aged, and cherished time spent with those she loved most.

Eileen is survived by her daughter, Nora (Thomas) Galbicsek of Southern Pines, North Carolina; her sons, Archie Blooflat III of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Bennett (Jolene) Blooflat of Fort Ripley, Minnesota. She was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren and a great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Archie Blooflat, Jr.; and her parents, Bernard and Nora Sheehy, and her Aunt Uriel and Uncle Paul.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji, Minnesota. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow, if accessible, at Greenwood Cemetery in Bemidji, MN.