Gerald Blong

Gerald R. Blong, 83, of Waukon, IA, died Thursday, May 18, 2017, at his home. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 22nd, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Ft. Atkinson, IA. Friends may call from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 6:00 PM scripture service.

Gerald Raymond Blong was born October 11, 1933, at his parents' home in rural Ft. Atkinson, IA, the son of Edward and Vera (Kuhn) Blong. He was baptized on October 14, 1933, and confirmed October 12, 1942, at St. John's Catholic Church in Ft. Atkinson. 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, and later, he earned his GED. Gerald was a life-long farmer in the rural areas near Cresco, IA and Harmony, MN, installed flooring and drove for Hawkeye Stages in Decorah, IA, for several years. Gerald met Janette Monroe Ryder at a singles support group in Decorah; they were married on November 2, 1990, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, IA.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Gerald loved dancing with his wife 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, MN, Emily (Jon) Huinker of Coralville, IA, and Kevin (Tracy) Blong of Chanhassen, MN; 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; 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 is preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers-in-law: Don Praska, Chuck Bronner, and Richard Barden.

Honorary casketbearers are Cletus Blong, Darwin Clupper, David Lind, Al Mracek, Norb Neuzil. and Mark Praska. Casketbearers are Caleb Blong, Gabe Huinker, Tom Ryder, Dan Lyons, Wayne Kelly, Jim Baxter, Steve Engrav, and Bill Ryder.