Kelly Walter Blake, 78, passed away September 17, 2025 after being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in February 2024.
Dad was born November 15, 1946 in Belle Fourche, SD to Walter and Alice (Hanify) Blake. He grew up on the mean streets of Belle Fourche and attended South Dakota State University, graduating with an Economics degree in 1970.
After college, Dad went to work for the State of South Dakota in Pierre. He met Denise Ramse while working at the South Dakota State Capitol and softball games. They married in August 1978 in September 1978, Kelleen Patricia was born. In September 1979 the family moved from Pierre to Helena and shortly after in October 1979, Keenan Walter was born.
While living in Helena he worked for the Department of State Lands and later for Lewis and Clark County. In his younger years he played fast pitch softball and was an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Catholic Church, and the Helena Trap Club.
He retired from Lewis and Clark County in March of 2012. During his retirement he was able to enjoy watching his favorite teams: Helena Capital High School football (Go Bru!), Carroll College football (Go Saints!), and attending Montana Grizzly football games as a season ticket holder (Go Griz!). He also enjoyed watching Notre Dame football and his favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees. Dad spent many hours tracking the family genealogy on Ancestry.com. He also had the time to begin fly fishing and started fly-tying. He loved to meet up with his friends to go camping and fly fishing all over the state of Montana.
Throughout dad’s life he made many life-long friends through work, attending local sporting events, or just having a beer. He was a lifelong public servant and fierce advocate for the public lands he enjoyed. He was an avid reader and enjoyed books on Montana History. He would read anything he could get his hands on.
Kelly is preceded in death by his parents, Walter (April 1979) and Alice (October 1994), sisters Ann (1940) and Sharon (1942), and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Dad’s heritage and immense family mattered most to him.
He is survived by his daughter, Kelleen (Scott) Davis and son Keenan (Megan) Blake, granddaughter Dylan Davis and grandson Declan Walter Blake, special friend Christine Ahner, and numerous family members and friends.
The family would like to express sincerest thanks to the staff at Beehive Homes, St. Peter’s Hospice and Dr. Hallie Tipton. We are so grateful for your kindness and support in caring for our father in his time of need.
In lieu of flowers or contributions, please consider donating to a public lands conservation or fishing advocacy charity in dad’s name.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00pm
Tuesday September 30, 2025
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Tuesday September 30, 2025
Brondel Center
530 N Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
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Tom Naegele says
Sad Day. Enjoy many fun conversations with Kelly was a very fine man and father. RIP Kelly and sending supportive prayers for the Family.
Norm Edwards says
Many good memories and times together. Deepest condolences and sympathy to all his family and friends in Montana.
Rest in Peace my dear friend. He still has many friends in South Dakota.
Jim Culhane says
Kelly was a wonderful friend. He had a unique ability to have a good conversation with anyone he met and a laugh that could fill a room.
Great memories of past times. Rest in peace Kelly and condolences to family and loved ones.
Jeff Cory says
Very sad at Kelly’s passing. We were friends for a long time.enjoyed camping trips, watching football,having a beer with Kelly and many other ventures
Jim Melton says
Kelly was a great guy with a kind heart, and fun to be around. So sorry to hear of his passing 😢
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
So sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing Matt & I enjoyed many great times with Kelly & family. God Bless him,
Bob french. @1505 mill street belle fourche south Dakota says
Oh kelly, what memories just landed in my mind. Thank you for being one of the mill street gang in belle fiurche. Not really a gang but the 5 of us sure thought we were tough together life long enduring friendships. Love to your family and may their memories lift us all up.
Chuck richards says
Kelly was a very special friend.we had a lot of good times on mill street.he will be remembered by many friends.our hearts go out to his family.miss you
Bruce Norum says
just got to know Kelly recently What a great man! May our Lord’s perpetual light shine upon him. Peace to the Blake Family
Jim and Sally Russell Wilcox says
This is sad to hear. Kelly was a good man and a great friend. Thoughts and prayers for his family.
Patrick McKelvey says
Kelly was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. We are sorry to hear of his passing…..great times with him.
Vicki Blake says
Kelly was my brother-in-law. I remember he and his friend group had weekly “Board Meetings”. He was part of a group of young people who all moved to Pierre to work in state government. They had a lot of fun. He and Denise blessed our family with Kelleen and Keenan and they all loved their Irish heritage. May he rest in peace.
Christine Ahner says
I am blessed to have years of treasured memories with Kelly. The most kind, wonderful, and thoughtful man I’ve ever known. He will live on in my heart and be dearly missed!
Tom Hynes says
Just the greatest. He was a kind and funny gentleman who always had a smile, a laugh and a funny story to tell. He’ll be sorely missed by friends and family.
Deb and Harvey Norris says
Kelly was our brother-in-law. When we all lived in SD back in the 1970s we had much worse winter events. At that time Kelly drove a lifted Ford stepside. He and his friends would get out and drive all over helped people stuck in snow and then they would recuperate down at Marso’s Bar. We helped Denise and Kelly move to Helena and then barely got back to SD when Keenan decided to enter this world. One trip there and we loved the area and wanted to move there but ended up in Texas. Kelly was so kind to our parents and never failed to send them Christmas cards with a nice letter. Prayers for the family and hope the memories shared by all will lift your family up at this difficult time.
Nikki Dixon-Foley says
Kelleen and Keenan,
You are both in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I have many fond memories of your dad and I know that he will be deeply missed. I hope that you both can find healing overtime and can continue to keep his memory alive though stories, shared memories and knowing that he will always be watching over you both.
Doug Hanify says
He was a good man, friend and cousin and is missed by all that knew him!
Lyle Manley says
I met Kelly when I began working for the Department of State Lands in August of 1982. He treated me like I was a brother, always helping when and where he could. The school trust lands never had a stronger advocate. He did it with limited staff and very few resources. Together I hope we left the program stronger and on a better course. I will miss him very much.
Bob and Barb Wilson says
So sorry for your loss, I remember your dad at the track meets were Ben and Keenan would run. Alot of good times. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tom cherry says
A good and decent man, credit to his family, communities and public servants.
Terry and Dianne O'Connor says
Kelly was a good friend. We enjoyed many fishing adventures and Saturday breakfasts. He will be missed.
Jim Nolan says
Kelly was a great guy and, I must say, one of the best fast pitch hurlers i ever faced!
Tim & Kathy Royston says
Dear Kelleen and family,
Sorry to read about your dad’s passing. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May all your memories comfort you.
Tim & Kathy
Carol Vavruska says
Kelly was a member of the Class of ‘65 Belle Fourche High School and loved and respected by all. We will miss him. Rest in peace.
Debra Tillo says
Kelleen and Keenan,
So sorry to hear about your dad. I have a lot of fond memories of Kelly. He was a great friend and godfather to my son, Tanner. His laugh was contagious, and his sense of humor often times was absolutely hilarious. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Robyn Brown says
Kelleen & Keenan,
I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I had the privilege of working with him at the county for quite a few years, that’s when I realized where you guys had gotten your awesome attitudes and sense of humor from!
Just wanted to let you guys know I’m thinking about you and your dad.
The man upstairs picks the most beautiful flowers first!!
All my best,
Robyn Brown