Harold L. Blesie

BLESIE, ELMER, SWANSON, DEATON, MITCHELL

Posted By: Barbara Kelley (email)
Date: 11/16/2005 at 02:25:16

Clinton Herald

Published: October 31, 2005 01:12 pm

Harold L. Blesie

DEWITT — Harold L. Blesie, 79, DeWitt, died Friday afternoon, October 28, 2005 at Genesis Medical Center-West Campus, Davenport, Iowa.

Harold Lloyd Blesie was born November 3, 1925 near Renwick, Iowa, on a farm homesteaded by his paternal grandparents. His parents were the late Henry Gabriel and Marie (Elmer) Blesie. He graduated from Renwick High School in 1944. He served in the Navy during World War II from January 1945 until August of 1946. Upon being Honorably Discharged, he attended college, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of
Iowa. Harold married the former Helen H. Swanson on December 18, 1950 in Des Moines, Iowa, and she preceded him in death on December 16, 1999.

He worked for several Farm Bureau Service Companies in Northwest Iowa and later became Office Manager for C & J Farm Bureau Service Company in DeWitt until August of 1966. At that time Harold went to work for the Rock Island Arsenal and was promoted to the General Accounting Branch Manager position until retirement in May of 1986.

Harold was raised in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Renwick, Iowa, which later became the United Methodist Church. He was active in church and community affairs, serving as church treasurer and other positions, a little league baseball manager and 32nd Degree Mason. Harold enjoyed sports both as a participant and spectator.

Surviving are two sons, Douglas Stephen Blesie, and his wife, Kris, Florence, South Carolina, and Gregory Harold Blesie and his wife, Judy, Spring Hill, Florida; a brother Laurence Blesie and his wife, Louise, St. Petersburg, Florida; two sisters, Ann Blesie Deaton, Des Moines, Iowa and Roberta “Bette” Blesie Mitchell and her husband, Herbert, Naples, Florida; four grandchildren,
Eric and his wife, Amy, Tonya, Nicholas and Brandon and his wife, Shauna; a great-grand- daughter, Kendall and a great-grandson, Ethan.

In addition to his wife, Harold was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert “Bob” Blesie in May of 1995 and Edward Blesie in February of 2004.

Family and friends may visit at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday, October 31, 2005. Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at the Funeral Home. The Rev. Jim Kledis officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt.

Pallbearers will be Doug Blesie, Greg Blesie, Eric Blesie, Nicholas Blesie, Brandon Blesie, Jim Pirch, Jerry Pirch, Roger Deaton and Jim Coryell.

Eugene McManus American Legion Post #238 of DeWitt will conduct military rites.

A photo tribute may be viewed and condolences expressed at www.schultzfuneralhome.com.