Harold Albert Blanchette, age 77, of Howard Lake, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, July 13, 2018 at his home in Howard Lake. Harold was born in Howard Lake, MN on April 18, 1941, the Son of Leo and Florence (Mielke) Blanchette. He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church where he was baptized on May 4, 1941 and confirmed on April 3, 1955. As a member of St. James, he served on several boards. Harold and Karen Blanchette began their 56 years of married life on December 23, 1961. They were blessed with two sons, Harold Blanchette Jr. and Darrin Blanchette Sr.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, two sons, Harold (LuAnn) Blanchette Jr., and Darrin Blanchette, Sr., grandchildren, Daisy Blanchette, Darrin (Ariel) Blanchette Jr., and Lilyann Blanchette, brother Virgil (Georgiene) Blanchette, sisters, Judy (Vern) Rasmussen, and RuthAnn Blanchette, and mother in-law, Marie Longfors, brother’s in-law, Robert (Rachelle) Schultz, Wayne Schultz, and Harold (Michelle) Schultz, and sister’s in-law, Marilyn Schultz and Judy Hassenstab. Preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Florence (Mielke) Blanchette, and sister, Eileen Olcott.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday, and from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Howard Lake.