LaVoy Blackledge

Funeral Service for LaVoy Buddy Blackledge, 80, of Breckenridge, Minnesota, formerly of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at the Ranney Funeral Home in Wheaton, Minnesota with Ron Haaland officiating. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday. Buddy was born on May 23, 1929 in Graceville, Minnesota, the son of Willis and Wilma (Menge) Blackledge. After spending his childhood in Wheaton, Minnesota he was drafted into the US Army and served active duty during the Korean War from 1951- 1953. In June of 1953 he married Margie Ann Bue and they had six children. They made their home in the twin cities area where Buddy worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for many years. Buddy enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He loved to cruise on his motorcycles and was a member of both the American Legion and the VFW. Most recently he could often be found having breakfast at McDonalds with his friends. Buddy passed away August 21, 2009 at the Meritcare Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. Buddy is survived by six children: William (Carla) Blackledge of Forest Lake, Minnesota, LaVoy Junior of Portland, Oregon, Ronnie (Melissa) Blackledge of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Gwen Bishop of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Laura (Jim)Hanzely of Stacy, Minnesota, and Bonnie Parker of Wyoming, Minnesota, nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nine siblings: Lavern (Marie) Blackledge of Alexandria, Minnesota, Helen Finke of Austin, Minnesota, Lillian Hicks of Wahpeton, North Dakota, Florence (Elmer) Lemke of Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota, James (Jeri) Blackledge of Twisp, Washington, Roy Blackledge of Little Falls, Minnesota, Karen Klindworth of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Wayne Blackledge of Wheaton, Minnesota and JoAnn (Ron) Haaland of Moorhead, Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews. Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Roger and sister: Irene Klemm.