BLASER, Eugene William 1930-2018

BLASER, HERRICK, DAVIS

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 8/28/2018 at 13:34:32

Eugene W. Blaser

October 18, 1930 - August 26, 2018

Eugene William Blaser, Sr., 87, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on August 26, 2018.

He was born October 18, 1930 to Ernest and Delia (Davis) Blaser in Cresco, Iowa. His Grandma Davis was a midwife and assisted at his birth. Eugene attended school at Cresco, graduating in 1949, along with his future wife, Juanita Herrick.

He worked in construction until November of 1949, then went on unemployment until April 1950. He lived life to the fullest during that time period, having the best time of his life before joining and serving in the 82nd Airborne during the Korean War.

After an honorable medical discharge, he married Juanita on August 30, 1952. He graduated from I.S.T.C. (UNI) in 1956. He started working at John Deere, eventually becoming an Industrial Engineer, then promoted to Division Engineer in I.W.I.E., retiring in 1984.

After retiring, he devoted much of his time volunteering for the Red Cross, RSVP, Cedar Valley Food Bank, Cedar Falls and Waterloo libraries, Nazareth Lutheran Church and several other organizations. Eugene was a member and past Master of the Waterloo Masonic Lodge 105, a Shrine Clown, a life member of the Cedar Falls AMVETS and a member of the American Legion.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Juanita of 66 years; two daughters, Vicki (Dave) Bailey of Cedar Falls and Kristen (Ron) Kampo of Cass City, Michigan; two sons, Eugene Blaser, Jr. of Salem, Virginia and John (Jan) Blaser of DeWitt, Iowa; fifteen grandchildren, Miranda (Drew) Henry, Eugene “Billy” Blaser III (Jennifer), Jeffrey, Colby, Kim (Brian) Butz, Karen (Jeff) Tupper, Becky (Nathan) Madoerin, Dan (Yolanda), Tom (Jill), Steve (Lilian), Tamara (Ty) Stamps, Stephanie (Ryan) Pierce, Norman (Ashley) Pierce, Joe and Ethan Kampo; thirteen great grandchildren; his sister, Catherine Bakke, of Preston, Minnesota; his sister-in-law, Bernice Blaser, of Waterloo, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and three brothers-in-law, Dorothy (Gene) Aberg, Gayle (Gary) Pruitt, Charles Bakke; two brothers, Donald and Gordan, and his son-in-law, Brad Pierce.

Services will be 11;00 a.m. Thursday, August 30, 2018 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, with burial at New Oregon Cemetery in Cresco, Iowa. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 29. at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home, and one hour before service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, to be distributed among various charities. Online Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.

Gene loved his family - calling his children and grandchildren the delight of his life - his wife the love of his life. Upon retirement, volunteering became his passion. An avid garage sale enthusiast, he enjoyed selling his treasures on Ebay or at Casey's Coin. He loved reading, puzzles, and baking his bread - famous among his grandchildren. They called it Grandpa's Bread and he sent it all over the country, where-ever a grandchild might be.

SOURCE: Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home