Jamie Christopher Blanke, beloved father, husband, brother, and son, was unexpectedly called home to heaven on March 18, 2021 at the age of 35. Born in Grand Rapids, MI on August 31, 1985, Jamie spent the majority of his childhood in Traverse City, MI. He is survived by his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Araxi Gentry; they were married in Traverse City in 2008 and have lived in Chicago ever since. He was reunited in death with two precious babies lost to miscarriage, and will be dearly missed by his three children, Anne (8), Eleanor (5), and Damien (1).

Jamie's life was laced with high achievement and excellence in everything he did, but his real passion was for his relationships with family and friends. An Eagle Scout at 13 years old, he particularly enjoyed service projects and camping with his dad, who was the troop leader. He participated in student government and was a varsity swim captain at Traverse City Central High School.

Jamie's Catholic faith found fertile soil to grow during his time at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned degrees in Finance and Theology in 2007. He repeatedly won awards such as "Nuttiest Fan" at sporting events, and cherished friendships made and haikus written in the four walls of Keough Hall.

Upon graduation, Jamie moved to Chicago and began a gratifying and successful career in finance. He earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2015, and was a Chartered Financial Analyst. He was most recently employed as Director of Research at Pritzker Group Asset Management Team.

Though the global events of the past year were unprecedented and difficult, Jamie's ability to work from home presented a silver lining in that he was able to spend more time with his beloved family, who were everything to him. He was also able to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a general aviation pilot, and delighted in taking his wife and daughters on dates to "airplane diners" in the area in the past several months. He also loved to travel, and had most recently taken the family to Italy for a two-week visit to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.

Jamie is also survived by his parents, John and Amy Blanke of Traverse City, MI; sister Caitlin (Matthew) Hughes of Ann Arbor, MI; grandparents John and Cathy Blanke and Ed and Penny Carrigan; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and countless friends.

Visitation Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. John Cantius Church, 825 North Carpenter Street, Chicago, Illinois 60642. The Funeral Mass will also be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/R5Dh1TxbroA .

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jamie's name to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland .

For further information please call 312-421-0936.