Ingrid L. Blinkman

Ingrid Lilly Blinkman, age 95, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Atrium Health Care (formerly Hetzels) in Bloomer. She was born January 27, 1921 in Rockford IL to Gust and Lilly (Rodell) Anderson. In 1932 her parents bought 600 acres of land east of New Auburn including Axe Handle Lake where they started a resort. Ingrid and her high school friends served as waitresses and maids for all the tourists. She attended Stout University and became a teacher before her boyfriend, Neal Blinkman, called her to get her to come to Norfolk VA to be married on January 24, 1944 before Neal shipped out for war. Her mother finished making her wedding dress on the train ride to Virginia. After the war, Neal and Ingrid owned a Ford Garage and a hardware store in Minnesota, but Neal wanted to teach. In 1956, they moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where they lived for 16 years. In 1972, Neal took a job as vocational director for Augusta, Altoona, Fairchild and Osseo schools. In 1983, they moved back to their beloved property in Dark Lake where they lived for over 30 years. In her free time, Ingrid enjoyed knitting and traveling, but her heart always belonged on the lake property.

She is survived by one son: Allan (Dianne) Blinkman of Bloomer; one daughter: Karin (Mike) Ruhe of Chippewa Falls; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Neal; parents: Gust and Lily Anderson.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bloomer. Following a lunch at the church, burial will take place at the Northern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial in Spooner. Friends may call from 5:00 – 7:00 on Sunday at the Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.