Gerald Blong, 83

 

Oct. 11, 1933
 May 18, 2017
 
Waukon -  Gerald R. Blong, 83, of Waukon, Iowa, died Thursday, May 18, 2017, at his home. 
Funeral services were held May 22 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial was at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Ft. Atkinson, Iowa. 
Gerald Raymond Blong was born Oct. 11, 1933, at his parents’ home in rural Ft. Atkinson, the son of Edward and Vera (Kuhn) Blong. He was baptized on Oct. 14, 1933, and confirmed Oct. 12, 1942, at St. John’s Catholic Church. At the age of 14, Gerald quit school to operate the family farm, so his brothers and sisters could continue their schooling and later attend college. He later earned his GED. 
Gerald was a life-long farmer in the rural areas near Cresco, Iowa and Harmony, Minn., installed flooring and drove for Hawkeye Stages in Decorah, Iowa, for several years. 
He met Janette Monroe Ryder at a singles support group in Decorah. They were married on Nov. 2, 1990, at St. Patrick Catholic Church.
He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Gerald loved dancing with Janette and traveling throughout the United States with her. He also enjoyed telling stories, reading and sharing food with his family. Gerald had a great sense of humor, and his faith was very important to him.
Survivors include his wife, Janette Blong of Waukon; his children, Bob (Darlene) Blong of Owatonna, Minn., Emily (Jon) Huinker of Coralville, Iowa and Kevin (Tracy) Blong of Chanhassen, Minn.; six grandchildren, Larissa and Mikayla Blong, Gabe and Maddie Huinker and Caleb and Anna Blong; 10 step-children, Barb (Wayne) Winters Kelly, Patty (Steve) Scholtes, Cathy (Keith) Dahlstrom, Joan (Dan) Lyons, Charlene (Jim) Baxter, Mary (Steve) Engrav, Bill Ryder, Peggy (Curt) Reiser, Tom Ryder and Donna (Rich) Kelly; 30 step-grandchildren; many step-great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Angela Blong Praska, Edna Blong Bronner, Doris Blong Barden, Beatrice (Darwin) Blong Clupper, Cletus (Nancy) Blong, Collette (David) Blong Lind and Marilyn (Al) Blong Mracek. 
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers-in-law, Don Praska, Chuck Bronner and Richard Barden.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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