Blake Nelson – A Quiet Hero of Red Rock Township

photo by: Loree Gaikowski | Blake Nelson stands proudly with his two sons beside the road grader he and his township purchased just two years ago—a piece of equipment that’s already halfway paid off thanks to smart budgeting and fiscal responsibility.

By: Loree Gaikowski, SDATAT Legislative Director/Public Relations

As I entered Red Rock Township, my heart swelled at the beauty of the rolling fields, farmsteads, and neatly kept gravel roads laid out before me. My thoughts traveled to Blake Nelson, the man I was on my way to meet - my next Township Trailblazer.

The words selfless service came to mind. But to Blake, those acts of service aren’t anything special. They’re just part of “getting the job done.” By definition, to be selfless is to be more concerned with the needs and wishes of others than your own. And service? It’s the act of helping or doing work for someone. Put those together and you have a pretty accurate description of Blake Nelson. But he’d be the last one to say that.

From the start, Blake appreciated the nomination, but his response was firm: "No." He genuinely didn’t believe he deserved the title - even asking if it was a joke. But Blake, I can guarantee you, this is no joke.

The heartfelt nomination that led me to Blake said it best:

“Blake is much more than a supervisor. He takes the township roads and the people of the township - and those who travel through it - to heart. He works countless hours checking roads, talking to people about road and water issues, and personally hops in the road grader to maintain roads. In winter, he’s often up before anyone else and sometimes goes to bed well after everyone’s asleep to make sure roads are safe. He adjusts routes to prioritize first responders, nurses, and school buses - even if it means going out at 2 or 3 a.m. Behind the scenes, he’s helped save the township money through smart budgeting ideas. Blake Nelson has been a quiet hero to the people of Red Rock Township.”

And once I met him, I saw what they meant.

His love for his township was clear - not just in what he said, but in how he said it, how he carried himself, and how he often circled back to making sure things were done, and done right. It’s obvious these aren’t just roads and responsibilities to him. This is his community - his people. You get the feeling that, to a guy like Blake, everyone in Red Rock Township is family.

When I asked Blake what he’s most proud of, his answer was simple:

“Just helping people. Being the person they can call. Seeing something that needs fixing and going out to take care of it… even better if I can fix it before the call comes in.” Of course, if it’s something big, he makes sure it goes before the board - but if he can quietly take care of it himself, he does. “It’s not because we have time,” he said. “It’s because we make time. You have to make time to help people.”

Local government starts at the township level. Townships are often the first place people turn when they need help or answers - and Blake takes that responsibility to heart, posing the question, “If we aren’t here, who’s going to take care of it?”

When it comes to the men and women he serves with, Blake doesn’t hold back. He’s proud of his board - what he calls the “A Team” - because they serve for the right reasons. They’re focused, fair, and committed to doing what’s best for the township. If you’re going to serve on a township board, he stresses the importance of listening and not getting on the board for the wrong reasons. “Everyone has got to get along. You’ve gotta get focused on helping - because if you’re not, you’ve got just one plan, you’re just a warm body in a seat, and you’re not really accomplishing anything.”

Blake sees a successful board taking shape by listening to the “ol’ timers” who’ve dedicated much of their lives to township service. He gives a lot of credit to longtime blade operator Dick Woelber, whose dedication and time have made a lasting impact on Red Rock Township. He values making time to listen and learn from their efforts - so they feel

comfortable passing the torch. “We’ve got to have younger guys coming up, learning what and why we do things,” he reflected.

One of the township’s biggest accomplishments under Blake’s leadership is the purchase of a road grader, already halfway paid off in just two years. By grading their own roads and reclaiming gravel from the shoulders, the township has saved money, improved road quality, and maintained a balanced budget.

For Blake, it’s not just about getting the job done - it’s about building a legacy...

He may not see himself as a trailblazer - but Red Rock Township certainly does.

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💡 Know Someone Who Deserves Recognition?

We want to hear from you! If you know a township official, board member, grader operator, clerk, treasurer, or township advocate who goes above and beyond, nominate them for a feature in Township Trailblazers.

📧 Email your nomination (including name, township, and a few sentences about why they deserve recognition) to:legislative@sdtownships.com

Let’s celebrate the people who quietly keep South Dakota’s townships strong—one gravel road and one board meeting at a time.