Jack Blaess

Jack Lee Blaess died peacefully on Friday April 16, 2010 at the age of 79. Born June 7, 1930 in Sturgis, SD to the parents of Henry and Zella Blaess. He grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota where he discovered his love of the outdoors as well as hunting and fishing. He joined the Army after high school and was stationed in Germany with the Army Corps of Engineers which inspired him to enroll in South Dakota State University after an honorable discharge and pursue a Civil Engineering Degree. He also played Basketball for the Jackrabbits. During this time he met and married his wife Marilyn Blaess. They married and had three children. His career took them from South Dakota to Edmond, Oklahoma where he started his own construction company. He also was Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation as well as owning his own consulting firm. His greatest achievement was a successful marriage and providing for his three kids. He was thankful for all his family, friends, fellow parishioners, and at the end the caregivers at Concordia. He was very anxious to get to Heaven to be with his wife Marilyn as well as his son John. He leaves behind his two daughters Ann Kimball and Mary Zarella, his daughter-in-law Emily Blaess, son-in-law Joe Zarella , six grandchildren Jack Blaess, Joey Zarella, Martha Blaess, Torrie Zarella, Aubrey Zarella and Marilyn Blaess, as well as his sister Nancy Pistel. A public viewing will be held Thursday, April 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, Oklahoma. The funeral service will be Friday, April 23, at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (308 Northwest 164th Street, Edmond, OK 73013) or Lutheran Hour Ministries (660 Mason Ridge Center, St. Louis, MO 63141) in Jack's name.