Block, Nels "Junior" (1919 - 2010)

BLOCK, ERICKSON, CARTER, KEAST, COVEN, PURCELL, COVEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 4/9/2013 at 16:09:17

Posted by permission

Nels Block, Jr. - Age 91

Nels Carlton Block, Jr. was born on October 7, 1919, to Nels, Sr. and Jessie (Erickson) Block west of Corley, Iowa, in Fairview Township. He was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church and attended country school at Polk No. 2 and Polk No. 9. In sixth grade, Junior started at Kirkman where he completed high school, graduating with the Class of 1937.

After high school, Junior worked at the Skelly service station in Kirkman from 1937 to 1941. On October 2, 1941, Junior enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Crook, Nebraska. He served in Central Europe where he was awarded five Battle Stars including one while at the Battle of the Bulge. On November 23, 1942, while still enlisted, Junior was united in marriage to Gwendolyn Carter at First Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Three children were born to this union: Cheryl, Don, and Ron. After receiving his honorable discharge On October 2, 1945, at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, Junior returned home where he began his long career with Wilson Hybrids. It was here where he worked for thirty-eight years until his retirement in 1984 as plant manager.

He was a people person with a kind heart and never knew a stranger. He always put his family first and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing and gardening and was always proud of his service in the United States Army. Junior was a member of the Harlan American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150, Shelby County VFW Post No. 941 and the Shelby County Historical Society.

He became a resident of Elm Crest Retirement Home in September of 2010 and it was there that he died on Saturday, December 4, 2010, having attained the age of ninety-one years, one month, and seventeen days. In addition to his parents, Junior was preceded in death by his daughter Cheryl, and brothers: Harold, Eugene, and Russell.

He is survived by his wife Gwendolyn Block of Harlan, Iowa; his sons Don Block and his wife Martha of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Ron Block and his wife Kathy of Harlan; grandchildren: Debbie Keast, Steven Keast, Mike Block, Teckla Coven, Amy Purcell, Alexis Block and Brandon Block; great-grandchildren: Madison Keast, Ellen Keast, Jackson Purcell, Cayden Coven and Kyndall Purcell; son-in-law, Walt Keast of Oakland, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.

Pastor Dan Hawn officiated the 11:00 AM funeral service on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. Serving as casket bearers were Brandon Block, Steven Keast, Alexis Block, Teckla Coven, Debbie Keast, Amy Purcell, Mike Block, and Dan Block. Military rites were performed by Shelby County VFW Post No. 941 and Harlan American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150 at the Harlan Cemetery.