Roland Howard Blanke was born to Melvin Lavon and Mary Lucille (Hunt) Blanke on September 1, 1935, at White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, on April 21, 2025. Roland was a jack of all trades. He graduated from Venice High School. He also attended Santa Monica City College, where he received a degree to be a master electrician. He was a highly skilled mathematician, which made him handy at everything. He was a member of the IBEW union when he retired.
In his younger years, he loved to surf, but with a life jacket because he couldn't swim at all. Roland served his country in the US Army starting at Fort Ord in Seaside, California, where the army classified him as non-buoyant. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, deep sea fish, and camp. Everyone who knew him would say he had the best stories and an uncanny ability to make you laugh. He fiercely loved his family and strived to be a good example. He loved his savior Jesus Christ and was a long standing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was the embodiment of perseverance and strength, our tank, if you will. He taught us the value of integrity, God, Family, and Country!
He is preceded in death by both parents, Mel and Mary, and his sons, Jeffrey and Toby. He is survived by his wife Margaret Colleen (Webb) Blanke, sister Arlene McKibben (Don), brother Raymond Blanke (Anne), children Bryan Blanke (Ranae), Chad Blanke (Linda), Josh Blanke, Dona Gallegos (David), Kori Davenport, Louis Butler, Matthew Butler, Lacey Castro (Chris), Jessica Oyler (Ajay) and many that were considered extra. He has 50 grandchildren and 18 greats.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Nibley 4th & 15th Ward, 360 W 3200 S, Nibley, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral service from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. The interment will be on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah.
CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW LIVE SERVICES VIA ZOOM: https://zoom.us/j/99914153863
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Starts at 12:00 pm (Mountain time)
Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park
Saturday, April 26, 2025
9:00 - 10:30 am (Mountain time)
Nibley 4th & 15th Ward
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain time)
Nibley 4th & 15th Ward
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