Leta Franklin Blake

Leta Franklin Blake was called home by the Lord December 25, 2012. She was born October 5, 1913 in Summerfield, Oklahoma, the third of five children for William Randolph Franklin, a school teacher, and Louvinia Davis Franklin, a homemaker and Choctaw Indian. Leta played basketball for Golden High and graduated Valedictorian in 1932. She met the love of her life, Darrel Blake, at the UNC Greeley freshman dance. They married on Easter Sunday, March 28, 1937. After graduation, they taught at Indian Mission Schools in Wyoming and Oklahoma. Leta settled in Fort Collins, Colorado with their two sons as Darrel went into WWII. After WWII they had a daughter and Leta became a real estate broker working with Darrel who was a builder and real estate developer. When they retired to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1975, they took up golf and dancing. They traveled widely including a long-belated honeymoon at Niagara Falls and a 50th anniversary cruise to Mexico. Both valued helping family, friends, and those in need. Leta was involved in Christian Women's Club and Church Bible Studies. Above all, she valued her relationship with God and desired others to know him too. She was a friendly, caring, fun-loving individual, who dearly loved her husband of 67 years before his passing in 2004, their 3 children: Jack Blake and Jerry Blake Diane all of Fort Collins, and Sandra Meichsner Paul of Redlands, California;7 grandchildren: Christy, Tammy, Tina, Tom, Jennifer, Laura, and Bethany; 10 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. She will be missed by all. Leta was a light of Jesus, who now shines in heaven; reunited with those who have gone before, especially Darrel...they are dancing on golden streets now. A small private family service will be held.