Jeffrey Blake Struhs

Jeffrey “Blake” Struhs, our son, brother, husband, father, and uncle passed away at his home in Shelley, Idaho, on December 24th 2024, at the age of 34.

Blake was born March 11th, 1990 at USAF Hospital Hill, Hill AFB UT.  He was the first of three sons born to Jeffery Struhs and Anna (Russell) Struhs.

Blake spent his early years living at Hill AFB, UT.  When he was two, he gained his first partner in crime, brother Justin. Blake was the one to give Justin his name and when the time came to bring him home from the hospital “Justin” was really all Blake wanted to take home, the boys were inseparable.

The family later moved to Teton, Idaho where Blake attended school at Teton Elementary.  He loved it there. He enjoyed fishing with Grandpa, riding bikes with his cousins, 4 wheeling, playing baseball and flag football.  Blake attended Teton Second Ward and was baptized.  At age 12 Blake gained his second gang member, brother Jayden.  Both boys were so happy to have baby brother. Blake packed him around like his little trophy.  He took him everywhere and he was always a hit with all the young girls, a perfect little chick magnet.  When Blake was 22 he received his bonus brother, when we adopted Garrett into our family.

In 2004 the family moved to Rigby and around that same time they bought a cabin in Island Park. Blake enjoyed spending lots of time at the cabin, snowmobiling, 4 wheeling and fishing. Lots of great family memories were made there.  Blake attended Rigby Jr High, where he excelled in school and loved to play basketball.  He attended Rigby High School and was an honor student.  He was active in Debate in High School, and used it quite often on his mom and dad. He loved to hang with friends, cruising 17th Street in Idaho Falls.  The house was always filled with the laughter of all his friends, which we called our own. He played JV Football, but soon figured out that his real love, was the Real foot-ball, Soccer.  He continued through High School as a Team Captain and Goalie, he was a leader and controlled the back field. Blake was always very passionate about sports, and he always played hard and gave it his all.  He loved the statistics of sports, he could tell you everything about teams, players, records, and he was your own personal commentator for any game, he loved it all. Most of all he had a love for his favorite team, The Kansas City Chiefs.  He was certain this year they will 3-peat for the Superbowl. He always loved to brag up to his brothers and dad about his team.

Shortly after playing soccer in High School, Blake found his other true love, Shae Le Goff.  The two shared the same love for soccer, two different schools, her from Hillcrest and him from Rigby, but eventually Highschool Sweethearts. Shae remembers first encounter at a High School match,  Blakes team was throwing Cinnamon bears at her team in the bleachers, she then kicked a ball into the bleacher at them, I believe it was “Love at First Fight”.

Blake graduated from Rigby High School in 2008. After high school he attended Idaho State University.  He worked at Purple Sage Trucking, a family business, in the shop changing brakes and tires on the trucks, all while going to school full-time to complete his generals. Blake was very determined and a hard worker. Once his generals were done Blake made the move with Shae to Pocatello to continue his education. In 2009 he took on a position at State Hospital South, in Blackfoot Idaho, while continuing his full-time studies at ISU.  He was a Psych Tech and worked closely with the clients. He was eventually promoted Patient Treatment Coordinator in Recreational Therapy Services and worked there until 2020. Blake worked with his Dad and Brothers, at Purple Sage Trucking for the rest of his years.

Working and going to school full-time paid off, and Blake received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education with and emphasis in Sport Management and his Masters Degree in Physical Education/Athletic Administration (MPEAA).

Blake married Shae Le Goff, his High School Sweetheart, on 9 July 2011 in Rigby Idaho. They enjoyed hiking and outdoor activities with their two Labs, Baya and Boo. They made their first home in Pocatello Idaho, where they welcomed their first daughter, Burkelyn Eva Struhs, to the family, Oct 2016.  Blake was not sure what to do with a girl, being raised in a family of boys, but he soon learned, and he loved being a “Girl Dad”.  In October of 2017 the family moved to their home in Shelley Idaho. They welcomed their second daughter, GraeLe Blake, his namesake, in May 2019.  He was so proud. He loved his girls and loved taking them fishing. Most of all he loved that they were not afraid to touch the worms.

Blake was preceded in death by his Favorite Grandpa Larry Russell, his Uncle Dean Struhs, his Aunt Cindi Russell, Uncle Blaine Russell, Aunt Laurie Russell, Cousin Austin Smith, and Boo.

He is survived by his wife, Shae, and daughters Burkelyn (8) and GraeLe (5) of Shelley, his Best Buddy Baya, his parents Jeff and Anna Struhs of Rigby ID, Mother-in-Law Cindy Goff of Blackfoot ID, brother Justin (Danielle) Struhs of Idaho Falls ID, brother Jayden (Macady) Struhs of Menan, ID, and brother Garrett Struhs of Gresham OR, brother-from-another-mother, Cody (Dani) Likes. His Nephew Easton, and Nieces Navy Rae and VayDa Struhs, Grandmother Marla Russell of Teton City, ID, and Grandparents Bonnie and Garry Struhs of Iona, ID.

A Viewing will be held at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, Rigby Idaho 83442, on Saturday the 4th of January, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Blake will be laid to rest in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery, at a later date, with a Celebration of Life.