Delmer Duane Blass, age 85, of Early, Iowa, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2008, at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 7th at the First Presbyterian Church in Early with Rev. Marvin Miller officiating. Burial will be at the Early Union Cemetery with a presentation of the flag by the Merten V. Hair American Legion Post No. 325 of Early & Nemaha. The Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday evening at the funeral home in Sac City.

Delmer was born on October 5, 1922, the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Bettin) Blass. He was born on the family farm south of Early, where he grew up and where he farmed and raised his own family. He graduated from Early High School in 1940 and following graduation, served three years in the United States Air Force during World War II, working as a mechanic fixing airplanes.

On November 1, 1946, Delmer was united in marriage to Jacqueline Luft. This union was blessed with three children: Linda, Douglas, and Barbara. Delmer was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved taking care of his livestock and crops, tinkering in his shop, and snuggling with his cat, Joe, and his great grandchildren. He was an avid Hawkeye Fan and enjoyed camping and fishing with his family. His special memories were of the warm winters in Texas, morning coffee with friends and a good card game.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Early where he served as an Elder and Deacon.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Jackie; his children: Linda Baumeier of Gladbrook, Iowa; Doug Blass and wife Karen of Early; and Barb Dahm and husband Pat of Early; eight grandchildren: Mike Baumeier of Gladbrook; Stephanie Rahlf of Evansdale, Cari Blass of Sac City, Andrea Blass of New York City, Sarah Naberhaus of Schaller, Heather Dahm of Ames, Kristin Dahm of Lincoln, NE, and Kyle Dahm of Early; and three great-grandchildren: Connor and Grace Naberhaus and Allison Rahlf. Other survivors include his sister, Marjorie Blass of Denver, CO; sisters-in-law: Jean Blass of Early and Dorothy Mae Blass of Sac City; sisters-in-law: Mary (Maurice “Gump”) Ringgenberg of Early and Donna J. “Petie” Lashier of Michigan; brother-in-law Roy Headid of Sioux City; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Delmer was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Delores Headid and Dorothy Dick; brothers: Raymond and George Blass; brothers-in-law Albert Dick and Ed Lashier; son-in-law Dennis Baumeier; and parents-in-law Milton and Ernestine Luft.