Marjorie Blass

Marjorie Blass, age 99 of Lake View, IA, formerly of Early, IA, and Denver, CO, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View. Marjorie Mae Blass was born on May 23, 1925, to parents Christopher and Elizabeth (Bettin) Blass in Early. She grew up on a farm just outside of Early and graduated high school in 1943.
After graduating, Marj attended National Business Training school for one term in Sioux City, IA. She had a successful career in the outdoor advertising business. She worked in Sioux City for thirteen years before moving to Denver, CO, where she would work for the next thirty years. During her tenure, Marj survived five company mergers and ended up employed by Gannett Co., the newspaper company and founder of USA Today. She worked at that firm from 1979 until retiring in 1987.
Marj met her best friend, Lavina Wilcox, at work in 1971, through her boss. They were the best of friends for over 60 years! Once Marj could no longer care for herself, she moved back to Iowa and the two were separated for the first time in many years, which saddened each of them deeply. Marj and Lavina traveled the world together. They enjoyed going to Texas to visit Lavina's family and to Iowa to visit Marj's family as well as to many other parts of the United States. They had a great time visiting many different countries and cities: Europe two times, London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, West Germany, China, Canada, and Mexico.
Marj enjoyed doing yardwork and taking care of her flowers. She especially liked her rose bushes. She also enjoyed bowling in her free time.
She was a member of Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church for over sixty years. Marj was also an active member of the American Business Women's Association for over forty years and was nominated Denver Charter Chapter Woman of the Year in 1973-1974.
Marj will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by nieces and nephews: Jean Martin, Christy Swenson, Barb Dahm, Sue Cox, Juli Blass, Lori Blass, Robert Blass, and Gene Blass; many other extended family members and her best friend, Lavina Wilcox.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chris and Elizabeth Blass; siblings: Raymond Blass, George Blass, Delmar Blass, Delores Headid and Dorthy Dick; niece Linda Baumier; nephews Michael Dick, Doug Blass, Donald Blass, and Chuck Blass.