Doug Blass, age 72 of Sac City, IA, passed away at home on Monday, November 21, 2022, surrounded by his family. Douglas Duane Blass was born on December 30, 1949, to parents Delmar and Jacqueline (Luft) Blass in Sac City. He grew up on a farm south of Early, IA, with his two sisters, Linda and Barb. He attended Crestland Schools and graduated from Crestland High School with the Class of 1968. Doug then attended Mankato State College in Mankato, MN, as well as Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA. Doug worked for Cecil Boeckman at Early Welding, where he learned the welding trade. Doug would later use those skills to start a business called Corn Belt Manufacturing, that he owned and operated with his brother-in-law, Pat Dahm for over 30 years.
On November 29, 1974, Doug married Karen Ann Boeckman at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, IA. They were blessed with two daughters, Cari and Andrea. They lived on a farm south of Early near where Doug grew up. He farmed and raised Charolais cattle over the years. Doug loved life, the people in it, and nothing was more important to him than his family.
Doug loved to fish, especially ice fishing, and took many fishing trips to South Dakota. He also liked to camp and go horseback riding. Doug, along with his family, enjoyed several ski trips together. He bowled in men’s league and also golfed in league with his long-time partner Gary Renze. He was a die-hard euchre player, playing many hands at the Legion in Early. He was a great cook, was excellent on the grill – especially steaks – and would never pass up a cold beer. Doug was a member of the Early Summer Rec Board as well as a Sac County Cattleman’s Association Board member.
While Doug may have earned the nickname Growley at work, his most cherished one was Papa. The day that he became a grandpa was one of the proudest of his life. He truly did have a big heart, everything Doug did, he did for his family. He wanted his girls to have a great life and he worked extra hard to make that happen. The two of them will tell you he taught them those same values, including to work hard and to know how to be independent. He will be so very missed by his family and by all those who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Blass of Sac City, IA; daughters Cari (Justin) Wieck of Sac City, IA, and Andrea Iby (Andrei Kallaur) of Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren Ella and Cecil Wieck; sister Barb Dahm of Early, IA; brother-in-law Dave Blaha of Boone, IA; several nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Jacqueline Blass; sister Linda (Dennis) Baumeier; parents-in-law Cecil and Louise Boeckman; sister-in-law Kris Boeckman; and brother-in-law Pat Dahm.
