Allen R. Blenker

1938 - 2025

Allen R. Blenker, 86, of Albany, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family March 6, 2025, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 14, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with the Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B., officiating. Military honors will be by the Albany American Legion. A private inurnment will be at Seven Dolors Cemetery in Albany at a later date.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 13, and 10-10:45 a.m. March 14 at the Seven Dolors gathering area in Albany. Catholic United Financial and the Knights of Columbus will pray a rosary at 7 p.m. March 13.
Allen Roman Blenker was born Sept. 27, 1938, in Albany, Minnesota, to Joseph and Philomena (Schwinghammer) Blenker. He graduated from Albany High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 19. He served his country from 1957 to 1962. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Yarke Sept. 2, 1967, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove. The couple farmed south of Albany on the home farm. In 2003, he retired from farming but continued helping his son, Jeff, with farm work for many years.
Allen was an avid card player. He enjoyed playing bingo, bowling in a men's league and in his younger years playing softball. He was known to many as "Easy Al" with a personality that could socialize with anybody. His favorite part of selling calendars for the Snowmobile Association was visiting with the people.
Allen was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany, Catholic United Financial and Knights of Columbus Father Pierz Council 3628.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Blenker, of Albany; children Dean (Joan) Blenker of New Prague and their children, Emma and Julia, Jeff Blenker of Albany, Kelly Jantzen of International Falls and her children, Cody, Elizabeth and Wyatt, Jennifer (Patrick) Olsen of Eagan and their furry pets, Tucker, Maya, and Tripp, and Sarah (Chris) James of Woodstock, Georgia, and their children, Liam and Isla; sister Rita (Tom) Middendorf of Freeport; and sister-in-law Corrine Blenker of Albany.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Minnie Blenker; sons Ronald and Kevin Blenker; infant sister Darlene Blenker; and brother Ralph Blenker.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.


"Our Country is in Mourning, A Veteran Died Today."