Dick B. Blair

Services:11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at United Presbyterian Church, Vail, IowaVisitation:From 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at United Presbyterian Church, Vail, IowaBurial: Vail Cemetery, Vail, Iowa Dick Benjamin Blair, surrounded by his loving family, passed away at St. Anthony Hospital on January 23, 2015, from pulmonary fibrosis.  Mr. Blair was born January 4, 1932, to Arista Blair and Ella Reese Blair, on a farm in East Boyer Township south of Vail.  He spent his entire life in the Vail community.  Dick received his education in the Vail Public School and graduated with the class of 1951.  Immediately following graduation, he served in the US Marine Corp, and received his honorable discharge in April of 1954.  Dick was proud to have been a Korean War veteran, having served on the front lines in Korea.  He would often tell the story that when his tour was just hours away from ending, his commanding officer informed him he could not leave as his replacement had not arrived.   Dick was united in marriage to Lois Pfannkuch on April 4, 1965 at the United Presbyterian Church in Vail.  This union was blessed with three children: Debra, Eric and Amy.    Dick's career at Marvin's Provisions began during his high school years, interrupted only by his service to his country.  Working his way up at Marvin's Provisions, Mr. Blair and Fred Lantz purchased the business from Marvin Rehbein in the mid 1970's.  At the time of his retirement in 2006, Dick had been sole proprietor for over 25 years.   During those years he was well known for the secret recipes he devised for porkburgers and bratwurst, along with his gift boxes at holiday time.   Dick was a tireless supporter of the Vail community, often working and donating behind the scenes for causes to advance the community.  He spoke often of the breakfasts in the park, held during the 1970's and 80's. In the early 90's he was Vail's citizen of the year.   A long-standing member of the Vail Community Club, he also served on the Vail City Council from 1966 until 1972. A lifelong member of the United Presbyterian Church in Vail, Dick served as both an Elder and a Deacon along with being active on various other church committees.  Dick greatly enjoyed his fifty year memberships in both the Diamond Lodge No. 442, Vail, Iowa, where he served as treasurer for many years, and the Alfred Rossman American Legion Post 196, Westside, Iowa.  Dick served on boards for both the Westside State Savings Bank and the Crawford County Memorial Hospital Foundation.  After his retirement he looked forward to early morning breakfasts with family and friends, followed by coffee with his friends at Coleman Motors.  His deep-rooted friendships were one of the most important parts of Dick's life.  His hobbies included spoiling the grandchildren and working outside on the garden and lawn.  Known as the man who could fix anything, or at the very least knew the part that just might work, Dick was the perfect person to send on a parts run for his son-in-law's farm during planting and harvest seasons.  He so enjoyed ferrying parts, people, and lunches from one field to the next.  Dick also loved Lake Okoboji and spent time there each year with his family and friends. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, one sister in infancy, Dorothy Marie Blair and two brothers: Andrew and William Blair.   Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife, Lois Blair of Vail, Iowa; daughters: Debra and husband Craig Ragaller of Vail, Iowa and Amy Blair and husband Daniel Weiss of Jersey City, New Jersey; son, Eric and wife Denise Blair of Lakewood, Colorado; grandchildren: Brandon, Kayla and Amber Ragaller of Vail, Iowa and Benjamin and Gwenyth Blair of Lakewood, Colorado; brother, Levi and wife Ethel Blair of Gordon, Nebraska; and sisters-in-law: Nelda Blair of Vail, Iowa and Ruth Blair of Kiron, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at the United Presbyterian Church, Vail, Iowa, with the Rev. Richard Francis officiating. Music for the service included a vocal duet of “Amazing Grace” with vocalists, Kayla Ragaller and Stacey Rosener, and a congregational hymn of “On Eagle’s Wings”, with Ruth Noelck as accompanist. Honorary Pallbearers included: Paul De Shaw, Dennis Janning, Dick Frank, Wes Stoelk, Reynold Gehlsen, Brett Gehlsen, Shawn Gehlsen, Charlene Iversen, Bob Nielsen, Fred Lanz, Robert Hitt, Wayne Anderson, Jim Slechta, Dr. Phillip Baker, Dale Koppen, Dave Blair, Richard Blair, James A. Blair and Dr. J.G. Donovan. Those serving as Pallbearers were: Dan Gangestad, Alan Johnson, Joe Coleman, Kenneth Blair, Troy Gehlsen, James A. Blair, Mark Ragaller, and Scot Stoelk. Burial, with Military Honors provided by the Alfred Rossman American Legion Post 196, Westside, Iowa, and Taps provided by Jeff Fitzsimmons, was at the Vail Cemetery, Vail, Iowa. Following the graveside rites the family invited everyone to join them at the Vail Community Building for fellowship and a luncheon provided by the United Presbyterian Women, St. Ann’s Parish Group and Staley’s Catering. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa is in charge of arrangements. A visitation was held from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at the United Presbyterian Church in Vail. Memorial contributions in Dick's name may be sent to: St. Anthony Foundation, Ar-We-Va Foundation or The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.