Michael "Mike" Ray Blada, age 64, of Northwood, ND passed away on Friday, August 13, 2021, at a Grand Forks hospital due to complications from blood clots.  His funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Burial will be at the Oak Creek Cemetery in Bottineau.

Mike Blada, son of Weldon and Luella (Opdahl) Blada, was born on May 2, 1957, in Bottineau, ND. He was raised in Newburg, ND and graduated from Newburg High School. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at St. John's Lutheran Church in Upham, ND. Following high school, Mike attended autobody trade school and worked as an autobody mechanic at numerous body shops throughout his career. He also spent some years as a farm hand and custom combining. Mike married Lori Kleespie, the two had one daughter together, Alicia Rinay, she was his pride and joy. The marriage later ended. Mike loved to work on cars and motorcycles, hunt, and spend time with his family, especially his two grandchildren. Mike was the life of every party and will always be remembered for his infectious laugh, cheesy jokes and tricks, words of wisdom and his many crazy-life stories that never got old no matter how many times he told them. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mike is survived by his father Weldon Blada of Newburg, daughter Alicia (Taylor) Smith and grandchildren, Liam and Harper Smith of Fargo, ND, significant other, Roxanne Westbrook and her family of Northwood and Grand Forks, ND, brother, Kent (Jean) Blada of Belle Plaine, MN, sisters Diane Lindquist, Joan (Ken) Arden, Brenda Blada all of Bottineau, brothers-in-law Robert Lesmann and Gordy Lindquist of Bottineau, nieces DeAnn (Jeff) Arden-Bahn and Kendra (Cal) Meschke, nephews Anthony (Stacey) Lindquist and Ryan Lindquist, many great-nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother Luella Blada, nieces Courtney and Heather Davis, great-nephews Brady Lindquist and Harrison Bahn, brother-in-law Jeff Thorsgaard, and his grandparents.

Mike's funeral will be livestreamed on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 2:00 pm at https://youtu.be/LQvRiMzharM