Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather Carl Ernest Herbert Blomberg passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving children early Sunday morning. October 1, 2017.

"Ernie" as his older siblings lovingly nick named him was born January 9, 1929 in New York Mills, Minnesota. He was the 6th of 12th children (6 boys and 6 girls) to Finnish immigrants Jack Blomberg and Sylvia Wapola.

He and his siblings had a special relationship, that would span a lifetime- even as they spread to different areas of the country.

He spent his early childhood in North Dakota, where his family farmed and his Pa built what was affectionately known as "The Shack" out of nails he pulled out and straightened from old boards and recycled wood.

Carl, along with several siblings attended a one room school-house. It was here that he learned to speak English. The siblings often joked about their life in North Dakota. Living in a shack with no electricity or indoor plumbing, sleeping with the siblings up to 5 to a bed sideways, margarine rations that was grey and needed a yellow coloring packet that needed added to it, heating their cold potatoes on the schools' heater for lunch, walking 2-3 miles to school with cardboard in their tattered shoes. The kids looked after and loved each other. The Blomberg kids had their own softball team, went ice skating, and enjoyed each others company. Never thinking of themselves as poor, they never fought and were always taught to be grateful, polite and kind.

Even as a young boy, his brother remembers his brother was always working hard to help support and ease the burden on his family who often struggled. During the Great Depression in 1940, his Ma and Pa packed up their 1934 Nash and headed for a better life in Washington state. His mother was heavily pregnant with her 12th and last child. When they reached Montana, they considered staying. Here the last Blomberg child was born. They worked in orchards here and when they reached Spokane at an apple cannery. The kids often compared their lives to that of "The Grapes of Wrath."

Eventually the family settled in Olympia, where our father, Carl began working at a veneer plant.

In 1950 our father left for the Korean war. Here he served as head cook for the General. Shortly after returning from war Carl joined the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as a welder.

He become enamored after being reintroduced to a cute, little dark haired girl named Florence Young. They were married in October 1964. For 53 years, through good and bad- Carl and Florence had their kids' and each others backs and were completely devoted to their 5 children. They settled in Port Orchard and raised their children there where Carl enjoyed gardening, sports and spending time with his family. His heart always remained in North Dakota, and he loved to take road trips there to visit his relatives and stop at the national monuments.

Our father loved his garden, being in nature and sitting in his yard bird watching. He loved going to farmers markets and nurseries with his daughter. His passion was sitting watching his beloved Seattle Mariners surrounded by his sons. He adored his grandchildren and was happiest surrounded by "his" little ones spoiling them with ice cream bars or taking them down to the water to walk along the pier or on the beach.
Carl was devoted and fiercely loyal to his family. He loved and supported his family.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, 5 children, fourteen grandchildren.

Carl was preceeded in death by his Ma and Pa, sisters: Hazel, Elsie, Helen, Betty, Violet and Luella and brothers: Grant Marshall, Roger Lee, James Calvin and Jackie Edmund.

He is missed dearly and loved by many. Until we meet again Papa.