On July 14, 1969, Spence Bliek and Josephine Kinnetz were married in Sioux Falls, S.D. The couple made their home in Emmetsburg where they owned and operated an upholstery business for 25 years. Spence designed and patented a tonneau cover for pickup truck boxes. They also developed Putter's Paradise, an indoor miniature golf course, for the community.
Spence was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, serving as an elder and past financial secretary. He was a member of the American Legion in Graettinger and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2295.
He was survived by his wife, Josephine, of Emmetsburg, six daughters, a son, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving were a sister and three sisters-in-law.
Mr. Bliek was preceded in death by his parents; and. two brothers, Gary and Marion Bliek.
From the Emmetsburg (Iowa) Reporter, April 10, 2007. Contributed by Sharon Hesebeck.
Evelyn Bliek, age 87, of Truesdale, Iowa died November 1, 2011 at the Buena Vista
Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the United
Methodist Church in Storm Lake.
Visitation will take place Friday, November 4, 2011 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the Sliefert
Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Burial will be held in the Holland Cemetery in Holland, Nebraska on Monday, November
7, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Evelyn Hilda Mills, the daughter of Raymond and Marie (Wissink) Mills, was born in Hospers, Iowa, on February 5, 1924. She lived her youth in the Hospers and Sheldon, Iowa, vicinity and received her education at a country school in that area.
Evelyn was united in marriage to Arie Bliek at Rock Valley, Iowa, on November 7, 1947. This couple was blessed with seven children: Marcia, Judy, Darlene, Ron, Marilyn, Karen, and Betty Jo. Evelyn and Arie resided in Rock Valley until 1965. Arie was associated with the upholstery business and being a truck driver and Evelyn was a waitress. They moved to Spencer, Iowa, for one year and then moved to Newell, Iowa, in 1966.
In 1976, Evelyn relocated to Truesdale, where she spent the remainder of her life. During her working career, Evelyn had worked on the assembly line at the turkey processing plant and her last employment was as a housekeeper at the Buena Vista County Home. She was affiliated with the Methodist Church throughout the years. Special interests of Evelyn's included: listening to Blake Shelton's music, playing bingo, bowling, camping, and working crossword puzzles.
Evelyn's life will always be celebrated and cherished by her children: Marcia Dirks of Dickens, Iowa; Judy (Hal) Riemersma of Sioux Center, Iowa; Darlene Jones of Granbury, Texas; Ron Bliek of Cherokee, Iowa; Marilyn Meneses of Webster City, Iowa; Karen Smith of Linden, Iowa; and Betty Jo (Harvey) Spooner of Odebolt, Iowa; 19 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; five brothers: George Mills of Hartley, Iowa; Lambert Mills, Ted Mills, and Marvin Mills, all of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Ed Mills of Pensacola, Florida; four sisters: Elsie Wolfe of Elmwood, Nebraska; Sylvia Roper of Lincoln, Nebraska; Luella Hall of Portland, Oregon; and Ruth Carr of Cardiff, California; nieces, nephews, other extended family; and her many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Larry Van Pelt; brother, Alvin Mills; sons-in-law: Ralph Lammers, John Meneses, Randy Smith, and Ron Jones. Blessed be the memory of Evelyn Hilda Bliek.
Obituary & Photo are from the Sliefert Funeral Home
Funeral service for Josephine M. Bliek of Emmetsburg was held Wednesday, April 17, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg. The Rev. Nicholas Thackery officiated Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery, Emmetsburg. The Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg was in charge of arrangements.
Josephine Myrene Bliek, daughter of Richard and Pauline (Gronbach) Kinnetz, was born Oct. 2,1927 in Emmetsburg. She received her education in Emmetsburg, graduating from Emmetsburg High School in 1947. Following graduation Jo attended Sioux City Beauty School. Jo owned and operated her own beauty shop for 45 years.
On July 14, 1969 Jo was united in marriage to Spence Bliek in Sioux Falls, SD. Jo and Spence developed and ran Putter's Paradise, an indoor miniature golf course and did upholstery work for 25 years. Jo was a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg where she was active in circle, serving as chairman of her group for 11 years. Jo also taught Sunday School for many years and. was a member of the Evangelism Committee. She was a member of the National Hairdressers Affiliation, the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Emmetsburg and the American Legion Auxiliary in Graettinger, serving as officer for the 10th District. Josephine passed away Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the Palo Alto County Hospital, at the age of 85.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Spence; brother, Ernest Kinnetz; sisters, Freda Harrington, Meta Bahr, Florence Lehner, Alma Wheeler, Fame Juhl and Irene Wedebrand; and a half brother, Benny Kinnetz.
She is survived by her half sisters, Barb Graff of Austin, MN, Billi Fett of Mesa, AZ, Elaine Swanson of Ayrshire, Linda Laws of Emmetsburg and Mary Douglass, of Fort Dodge; step children, Marcia Dirks of Gillet Grove, Judy (Hal) Reimersma of Sioux City, Darlene (Ron) Jones of Grandbury, TX, Ronald Bliek of Cherokee, Marilyn (John) Mennesses of Webster City, Karen (Randy) Smith of Linden, and Betty Jo (Harvey) Spooner of Odebolt; several step grandchildren and great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends
Page 8 of Democrat, published in Emmetsburg, Iowa on Thursday, April 18th, 2013.