(Emily) Jean Blass, age 98 ½, of Early, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at her Fort Myers, Florida winter home.
Jean was born April 17, 1922, in Correctionville, Iowa, to August and Lillian (McCormick) Peterson, and was baptized at Correctionville Methodist Church. Upon graduation from Cushing High School in 1940, she attended Nettleman College in Sioux City, Iowa, earning her Secretarial degree (in half the time!). Jean was Executive Assistant to Mr. Martin at T.S. Martin Company in Sioux City and treasured lunch dates with her Mother at the department store. She played tennis whenever she could (up to two times a day), and through a blind date set up by her roommate Margie Blass, met her future husband.
After a short courtship, on April 1, 1950, Jean was united in marriage to George Robert Blass; to this union, four children were born: Christy, Chuck, Juli, and Lori. They lived on the family farm south of Early, which is where Jean lived independently until the age of 97 when she broke her hip.
Everyone that encountered Jean, knew she was passionate about life. She played an integral role in the Early Methodist Church and UMW (United Methodist Women), and when Lori was ten, returned to a long career as Executive Assistant at McCorkle Construction Company in Sac City, Iowa. Her friends and family were very dear to her, and she truly adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean was an avid bowler, a sharp player in many card clubs, and remained interested and active in the political scene. She also enjoyed traveling, wintering in her Fort Myers, Florida home, and really loved shopping - always finding the perfect accessories to wear with every outfit.
Those thankful for having Jean in their life include daughters: Christy (Dick) Swenson of Lake View, IA; Juli Blass (Jim Lynum) of Fort Myers, FL; and Lori (Brian) Blass-Adams of Fort Myers, FL; grandchildren: Che and Sheryll Lynum of Phoenix, AZ; Barb and Cory Weber of Lake View, IA; Jenny and Jimmy Stock of Lake View, IA; Ashley and Ben Klatt of Carroll, IA; Erik Blass of Early, IA; Callie Corey of Denver, CO; and “adopted granddaughter”, April Lorenzen Peterson; great-grandchildren: Telana, Kai and Teo Lynum; Brayden Weber; Gunnar Stock; and Knox and Nora Klatt. Other survivors include sister-in-law, Marjorie Blass of Denver, CO; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Jean was preceded in death by her beloved parents; brothers; sisters; husband George; son Chuck; parents-in-law; sisters and brothers-in-law.