Blakely D. ‘Blake’ Nichols

Blakely D. “Blake” Nichols, 64, of La Crescent, MN, died on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at La Crescent Health Services. He was born in La Crosse on June 28, 1957, to Arvard “Obbie” and Beryl (Kinstler) Nichols.

Blake graduated from Central High School in La Crosse in 1975. On June 16, 1979, he married Vicki Balts and they had two children. They later divorced. On July 7, 2008, Blake married Kathrine Lee.

Blake worked for many years at Airgas in La Crosse where he made many friends. He will be remembered for his charismatic and understanding personality. Blake enjoyed salmon fishing, hunting, and classic cars. For many years Blake was involved with the La Crosse Amateur Ham Radio Club. One of his favorite things to do was to listen to “oldies” music on all of his collector radios.

Blake is survived by his wife Katherine, his children Amber (Joe) Erickson, and their children Lincoln and Channing and Andy (Danielle) Nichols and their children Lily and Emma. He is also survived by his stepsons Craig Turner and Kyle Turner, his sister Carrie Carlson, his nephew Michael Carlson, his mother, Beryl and father, Arvard “Obbie,” and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Blake was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will be from 4 until 6 P.M. on Friday, Dec. 3, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crosse chapel, 200 West Ave. S. He will be laid to rest in the Oak Grove Garden Mausoleum.