Blake M. Anderson, 18, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, January 21, 2024, as the result of an auto accident.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 26 at 10:30 AM, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 12.5 North of Columbus, with Rev. Paul Rempfer and Rev. Brad Birtell officiating.  Visitation at the church will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and continue on Friday from 9:30 AM until service time, also at the church. The memorial service will be broadcast live on the Gass Haney Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057043736890 In lieu of flowers, plants, statues, or plaques , memorials are suggested to that of family choice.  Blake was a tissue donor through Live On Nebraska.

Blake Matthew Anderson was born on January 21, 2006, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Chad and Holly (Rowe) Anderson.  Blake has an older brother Zach (MaKenna Held), a younger brother Gage, and a special friend Macy Clausen.  He is the grandson of Mike and the late Diane Rowe from Columbus, NE, Duane and Terri Anderson of Emerson, NE, and Dreama and Dean Heairet of Omaha, NE.

Blake attended Shell Creek Elementary and Lakeview Junior/Senior High School.  While attending Lakeview, Blake was a member of FFA, and the Chapters Sentinel for two years. He was also a member of the National Honor Society.  Blake played football, was a 3-year letter winner, a member of the 2021 C-1 Championship football team, and was All-District DL, All-Star Honorable Mention DL 2023. His senior year he was a member of the Lakeview bowling team. He was a member of the Unify bowling team that won districts in the fall. Blake also played golf for three years and was a 2-year letter winner. He was a part of the 2023 District Champion Golf team and played in Scottsbluff/Gehring for C-1 State Golf Tournament.  Blake spent many summers playing Outlaw baseball, Lakeview baseball, and Legion baseball. He was active in 4-H showing goats and cattle.  Blake loved taking winter trips with family and friends to Colorado and Terry Peak, South Dakota, where his favorite activity was snowboarding.

Blake was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church-LCMS and was very active in the Youth Group. Every summer while in high school, Blake went to White Earth Indian Reservation for a mission trip where they taught a bible school and played with the children. He helped organize the St. John's basketball league which he was very proud of. Blake always lit up a room every time he walked into it and was always prepared to make you laugh. He always had a smile on his face and enjoyed talking to everyone.

Blake was preceded in death by his Grandmother Diane Rowe.  He is survived by his parents, brothers, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and many cousins.