Rochelle Marie (Heintz) Flake

Rochelle “Rocky” Marie Flake of Fenton, Michigan, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 82.

Rocky was born February 25, 1943, to Robert and Margaret “Tat” Heintz of Mount Pleasant.

The eldest of eight children, Rocky graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1961 and became a graduate nurse through a specialized college program in Grand Rapids in 1963.

A blind date during her nurses’ training rotations in metro Detroit introduced Rocky to the love of her life – Charles James “Jim” Flake. They married on February 12, 1966.

Their 59-year marriage was fortified by her strong Catholic faith. Their true partnership created decades of laughter, three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild – plus 78 nieces and nephews and dozens of great-nieces and nephews.

Rocky worked as a surgical scrub nurse in Michigan and Minnesota from 1963 until her second child arrived. She chose to be a stay-at-home mom until Fr. Jim Prentice offered her a role as the secretary of St. Rita’s Church in Clarklake in 1980. She worked there for nine years, contributing to  the parish’s significant growth.

Rocky and Jim relocated to Fenton in 1989, where she helped care for Jim’s then-aging parents Charles and Gertrude Flake.

Rocky was a loving and attentive wife, remarkable mother and devoted grandmother who found great joy in attending her grandkids’ sports, dance and academic activities. She also thrived in the kitchen and enjoyed Hawaiian vacations, reading, puzzles and gardening even more than afternoon pontoon rides on Lake Columbia in Brooklyn.

She was a gifted seamstress who most enjoyed quilting. Rocky crafted hundreds of quilts for loved ones and St. Rita of Holly parishioners in need of prayer quilts. Baby quilts were her favorite, and she took great delight whenever nieces, nephews and grandchildren loved them to tatters.

Rocky’s signature quilts ultimately have become a metaphor for her life. She has been the common thread stitching together a patchwork of lives spanning five generations of family and countless friendships lasting decades.

In addition to her husband, Rocky is survived by her children Joe (Nancy) Flake; daughter Jennifer (Rod) Bloedow and daughter-in-law Bobbi Flake; grandchildren Adam Flake; Madelyn Flake; Marty Flake (Noah Tutt); Carly Snyder; Abigail (Lane) Winget; Ben Flake and Tyler Snyder; and great-grandson Myles Winget. Plus, sisters-in-law Connie Heintz and Margie (Sam) Arnott; brothers Mike (Margo) Heintz; Joe (Linda) Heintz; Dan (Cheryl) Heintz and Pat (Leslee) Heintz; and sister Kathy Fountain.

In addition to her parents, Rocky was preceded in death by her eldest son J. Scott Flake; brother Bob Heintz; brother Jeff (Jackie) Heintz and her in-laws Charles and Gertrude Flake.

Visitation will take place Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 302 East Maple in Holly.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., immediately following visitation.

Interment will take place in Brooklyn at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions in Rocky’s honor be made to St. Rita Catholic Church in support of their community food pantry. Please mail donations to the church rectory at 309 East Maple, Holly, MI 48442.

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