Delaine Blunk

DeLaine Edward Blunk was born May 4, 1931, the son of Edward and Edna Mae Carlson Blunk. He died at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, Friday, May 6, 2011, at the age of eighty.
DeLaine received his education in a rural school near his home in Hanover Township near Charter Oak, Iowa. After completing his education, he helped his family on the home farm. He joined the U.S. Army on July 10, 1953, and served his country in Germany, working in the motor pool as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator. After completing his military duties, he was honorably discharged from the Army on June 7, 1955. He returned to the Midwest and worked for Hoak Motors in Sioux City, Iowa, and Novak Cadillac in Omaha, Nebraska. He was also involved in the construction of a cross-country electrical power line called the Adirondak High Line. He returned to Iowa and was united in marriage to Leoda Reis on April 3, 1957, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. The couple made their home on a farm near Charter Oak for a short time before settling in Denison. The couple was blessed with the birth of three children.
He began working for Ted Cornelius in December 1958 at his service station in Denison, driving a tank wagon. He bought the service station in 1976 and added the passion of his life, a towing service called the Happy Hooker. His life was his family and his business. He devoted his time and effort to his family, friends and the community. He made many friends through his interaction with people, and helping others gave him a happiness that was greater than wealth. In his leisure time, he would enjoy playing cards with his family, fishing, hunting, and going to the casino. He enjoyed watching westerns on TV and was an avid viewer of the Wheel of Fortune. DeLaine also loved his computer and even had Facebook. His mechanical abilities were evidenced by his being able to fix and make anything he was working on, including his first tow truck that he built and welded together. He had a good sense of humor and each day he anticipated the three oclock coffee with his circle of friends. DeLaine was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who cared for his family with diligence and love. He was a devoted friend and one everyone could rely on when in need.
DeLaine was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Leoda in 2002; and one sister, Janice. Survivors include three daughters: Connie and her husband, Gary; Vicki and her husband, Bill; Shari and her husband, Brad; four grandchildren; a very dear and special niece, Deb and her husband, Larry; and a dear and special nephew, Dennis; one sister, Joyce; brother-in-law, Robert and his wife, Joyce; sister-in-law, Marcella; brothers-in-law, Vernon and his wife, Darlene; Gale and his wife, Carol; and Leonard, all of Denison; also, his close friends of the coffee group; his favorite feline friend, Thomas, the cat he adored; other relatives, and many close and valued friends.