Kristine Louise (Rickstad) Blackburn

Kristine L. Blackburn, age 76 of Allegan, formerly of Kalamazoo, passed away at home under hospice care with her family on June 13, 2022. She was born on July 15, 1945, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Eric and Jeannette (Solem) Rickstad. Kris was a 1963 graduate of Comstock High School. On September 18, 1965, she married her husband of 57 years, Jon Blackburn. She attended the American Beauty Academy where she received her cosmetology license. Kris was a beautician and successful business owner of Kris's Beauty Shop for 50 years, retiring in 2015. She touched the lives of many clients over the years. Kris's salon provided a place of social and emotional support for her many friends as she styled their hair. Kris would sometimes visit her clients' homes or nursing facilities when they aged and were unable to visit the salon. Kris enjoyed sponsoring softball teams at Eastwood Little League and she was an active member of the Eastwood Community Center. The Blackburn home was accommodating to the neighborhood kids who would often stop by and enjoy Mrs. Blackburn's good cooking. Kris always volunteered to help other parents by offering a comfortable bed to a sick child when the parents had to work. Kris was passionate about people and her kindness will always be remembered. Jon and Kris were members of the Comstock United Methodist Church and later the Allegan United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Comstock VFW Post. Kris's family was everything to her. She supported her children and grandchildren in all their events and was a constant source of encouragement. They will always remember her kindness and witty sense of humor. Her love for her family extended to the family pets, Josie, Peyton, and Sadie whom she considered her fur babies. They always looked forward to visiting her as she always made sure she had plenty of treats. Her family includes her husband, Jon Blackburn; her children: Paula (Mike) Andrysiak, JoAnne (Mitch) Thorsen, and Jon (Jennifer) Blackburn, II; her grandchildren: Kevin (Kenzie) Andrysiak, Mark Andrysiak, Kylee Thorsen, Ryan Blackburn, and Brooke Blackburn; her sister, Jill (Don) Brink; her sister-in-law, Jackie Rickstad; Brother-in-law, Tom Blackburn; sister-in-law, Hilda Blackburn, and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Eric and Jeannette Rickstad, brothers, Gary and Albert Rickstad, and her sister-in-law, Donna Rickstad. Friends may visit with her family on Friday, June 17th, 2022, from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S. 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, where a funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, with Pastor Greg Carlson officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock Township. The family will host a luncheon at the Andrysiak home immediately following the graveside service. Donations may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice. Please visit Kristine's personalized online guestbook at www.langelands.com