Eugene Blaser Sr., 87

Oct. 18, 1930 —

Aug. 26, 2018

 

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

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, with burial in New Oregon Cemetery in Cresco, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family. Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.

Eugene was born Oct. 18, 1930 to Ernest and Delia (Davis) Blaser in Cresco. His Grandma Davis was a midwife and assisted at his birth. He attended school at Cresco, graduating in 1949, along with his future wife, Juanita Herrick. He worked in construction until November 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 Aug. 30, 1952. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in 1956. He started working at John Deere, eventually becoming an Industrial Engineer, then was promoted to Division Engineer in I.W.I.E., retiring in 1984. 

After retiring, he devoted much of his time to 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. 

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 bread — famous among his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Juanita; two daughters, Vicki (Dave) Bailey of Cedar Falls and Kristen (Ron) Kampo of Cass City, Mich.; two sons, Eugene Blaser, Jr. of Salem, Va. and John (Jan) Blaser of DeWitt, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, Miranda (Drew) Henry, Eugene “Billy” (Jennifer) Blaser III, 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 and Joe and Ethan Kampo; 13 great-grandchildren; his sister, Catherine Bakke of Preston, Minn.; 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 and Charles Bakke; two brothers, Donald and Gordan; and his son-in-law, Brad Pierce.