Blandin, Frank Clark 1853 - 1917

BLANDIN, PIERCE, SANDSTAD, ALISTER, COLES

Posted By: Janice Sowers (email)
Date: 12/26/2006 at 14:13:33

From the Scrapbook on Newspaper Articles by Mrs. Lillian Wheeler

The funeral of F. C. Blandin was held at the home of his son Floyd, Monday afternoon, conducted under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge. Rev. W. Kirwin, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Cresco, preached the sermon, and Rev. C. C. Casper, pastor at Riceville, read the scripture. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery.

The news of his death came to his relatives and friends in Riceville with startling suddenness. He had just returned from St. Paul, where he had been on a business trip. Mrs. Blandin was on a visit with their daughter, Mrs. Sandstad at Kenyon, and Mr. Blandin stopped off there on his way to Cresco. He was not feeling well, but it did not occur to anyone that it was at all serious, but a day or so after arriving at Cresco his condition became worse, and Mrs. Blandin was summoned at once, but not until a few hours before his death did it become apparent that he was to be taken so suddenly from our midst.

"Beyond life's toils and cares
Its hopes and joys, its weariness and sorrow
Its sleepless nights, its days of smiles and tears
One bright, unending morrow."

Franklin Clark Blandin, son of William and Icybenda Blandin, was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, Dec. 31, 1853.

In 1869 he came with his parents to Mitchell county, Iowa, and on Sept. 1, 1875, was united in marriage to Nettie Pierce.

In 1881 they moved to Osage, returning to Riceville the following year. In 1883 they went to Park Ripids, Minn., but after a year's residence there, again came to Riceville, where they continued to reside until moving in 1908 to Cresco, which has since been their home and where Mr. Blandin passed away on April 6, (1917) after but a few days of illness. His death was caused by erysipelas which developed into blood poisoning.

Five chidren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blandin, the oldest son dying in infancy. The bereaved wife with the four children survive--Mrs. Grace Alister of Pasadena, Calif., Raymong W. of Presho, S. Dak., Mrs. Mamie Sandstad, of Kenyon, Minn., and Floyd F. of Riceville. There are also four grandchildren, one brother, Mahlon Blandin of Orchard, Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. Reliance Coles of Riceville. One brother, Chester J., passed away at Kansas City several years ago.

Mr. Blandin was for many years identified with the interests of Riceville, having held a number of civil offices in the town and township, and at the time of moving to Cresco was elected to the office of county clerk, which position he held satisfactorily for a number of years. He was a man of unusual friendliness and cordiality, always ready with a handclasp and word of greeting to everyone.

"The heart of a friend, how splendidly warm
Is the heart that is true through the stress and the storm
The face of a friend, how it lightens the load
Of a comrade; it cheers like a light on the road
The hand for a friend, how it shakes off the chill
Of the long lonely climb to the top of the hill
Oh, treasure that's priceless, that's true to the end
Bright jewel of a lifetime, the heart of a friend."