LaBlanc, Gerald d. 2019

LABLANC, VASQUEZ

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:31

Gerald LaBlanc

Gerald LaBlanc, 88, of Des Moines, son of Arthur and Esther LaBlanc, will have visitation from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, January 21, 2019 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Private burial will take place in Glendale Cemetery. He leaves behind nephews, Dan and Max LaBlanc; several great nieces and nephews; and a cousin, Ione Vasquez. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. While living in Newton, Iowa he was a member of the city council. Gerald Arthur LaBlanc was a longtime member of the Iowa National Guard, 34th Inf. Division. In 1986 he was Des Moines Rotary Teacher of the year. LaBlanc received his Master’s Degree from Drake University.

Mr. LaBlanc was active in civic affairs in Des Moines. He was instrumental in: getting a park dedicated to former Mayor Pete Crivaro; in restoring the Iowa Civil War Monument; Soldiers and Sailors Monument; and the Spanish-American War Memorial on Iowa’s Capitol Hill. He was also instrumental in getting the Des Moines City flag, the first in the nation Korean War Memorial on the capitol grounds and he restored the Gold Star Memorial on East University.

“Without your persistent efforts in restoring the Soldiers and Sailors Monument along with several other state monuments on the capitol grounds this would have never happened.” - Governor Chester J. Culver, October 19, 2010.

“I want to thank you for all you do to care for grave markers for veterans. Your work in preserving veteran markers helps keep alive and honors those who have so nobly served our country.” – Senator, Charles E. Grassley, July 21, 2011.

Both Governors Thomas Vilsack and Chester Culver awarded him for his work with monuments on Capitol Hill.

In later years LaBlanc was tour director of Woodland Cemetery for 22 years and held fundraisers to restore Woodland Cemetery. LaBlanc erected a historic arch over the entrance to Woodland Cemetery at the cost of $70,000.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to VVV (Valley View Village) Employee Assistance Fund c/o Stephanie Proper, 2555 Guthrie Avenue Building C, Des Moines, IA 50317 or the Woodland Cemetery Restoration Fund c/o Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311. ~ The Hamilton Funeral Home, Des Moines, Iowa Jan 2019.