Annette Blonigen

Annette T. Blonigen, age 84 of St. Martin, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at the Tree of Life Assisted Living in New Munich, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 15 at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin with Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B officiating. A family inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the St. Martin Parish Center in St. Martin. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday evening at the parish center.

Annette Theresa Gertken was born July 22, 1941 in Avon, Minnesota to Henry and Rosalia (Fischer) Gertken. She was united in marriage to Leander Blonigen on May 15, 1962 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Avon. Annette raised nine children on the family farm near St. Martin and also worked off the farm at Jennie-O Foods in Melrose. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a cook at the Albany Elementary School. She was a mother figure to many people throughout her life and she was an amazing cook.

She was a member of St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin and the Christian Mothers. Annette enjoyed going to the casino, playing cards and BINGO, and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children, Theresa (Jerome) Eichers of Avon, Michael (Marsha) Blonigen of Albany, James (Kimberly) Blonigen of Fort Meyers, Florida, Thomas (Judy) Blonigen of Paynesville, Lori Rose (Brian) Mackedanz of Paynesville, Andrew (Leigh Ahles) Blonigen of St. Martin, Martin (Jessica) Blonigen of St. Martin, and Jeremiah (Carene) Blonigen of Freeport; son-in-law, William Smith of Albany; 23 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren with one on the way; brothers and sisters, Lloyd (Jenny) Gertken, Eugene (Sharon) Gertken, Donna Mae Poepping, and Rosie Ehlinger; sister-in-law, Kathy Gertken, Vera Lou Gertken, Tillie (Bernard) Bussman, Penny Blonigen, and Annella Blonigen; and brother-in-law, Richard (Linda) Klaphake.

Annette was preceded in death by her husband, Leander Blonigen on January 9, 2020; daughter, Sue Smith on December 1, 2022; parents; brothers, Almbrose, Elmer, Donald, and Larry; and sister, Bernice Klaphake; and brothers-in-law, Wilbert Poepping and John Ehlinger.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Tree of Life Assisted Living in New Munich.