Dolores Blong

Monday, March 9, 2015 4:43 pm

Dolores Blong, 86, of St. Lucas, died Monday March 2, 2015, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Nick March officiating. Organist is Jeanette Dietzenbach. Cantor is Sherri Achen. St. Luke’s Choir will sing “Ave Mari,” “Be Not Afraid,” “Precious Lord, Take my Hand,” “Open My Eyes, Lord” and  “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Mass servers are Nick Munger, Ivy Thompson and Dennis Boyer. Lector is Tim Munger. Eucharistic ministers are Tim Munger and Barb Reicks. Offertory gift bearers are Jon Munger, Alex Rausch and Zack Rausch. Honorary casket bearers are Jerry Fox, Mantana Blong, Tim Munger, Doug Smith, Bruce Dahlstrom and Paul Rausch. Casket bearers are all of Dolores’ grandchildren. Interment is at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery in St. Lucas. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Dolores Marie (Mitchell) Blong, was born Dec. 30, 1928, the daughter of Alfred and Edna (Bertges) Mitchell, near St. Lucas. She graduated from St. Luke’s Catholic School in 1946. She married Donald Blong Oct. 11, 1950, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. To this union eight children were born. 
Together they ran the St. Lucas Feed Mill until retiring in 1995. During that time they enjoyed traveling with Cargill Feeds to different places. Dolores enjoyed cooking for her family, playing cards and canning. Dolores especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She belonged to St. Luke’s Catholic Church and was president of the Rosary Society for many years. She was also a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Dolores is survived by her husband, Donald Blong, New Hampton; six children: Trudy (Jerry) Fox, Stillwater, Minn., Randy (Mantana) Blong, Chesapeake, Va., Donna (Tim) Munger, Bluegrass, Pat (Doug) Smith, Moline, Ill., Lynne (Bruce) Dahlstrom, Baxter, Minn., Julie (Paul) Rausch, Austin, Minn.; grandchildren: Heidi (Joe) Thompson, Gretchen (Corbin) Fox-Schempp, Barbie Sloan, Jason (Chris) Blong, Jon Munger, Nick Munger, Jacob Rausch, Alex Rausch and Zach Rausch; great-grandchildren: Stone Thompson, Ivy Thompson, Eve Thompson, Rycher Sloan, Craig Sloan, Michael Sloan and Alina Blong; one sister, Marion Thomas, West Des Moines; one brother, Joe (Mary Ann) Mitchell, Louisville, Ky.; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Bonnie Mitchell, Charles City, Elaine Mitchell, West Union, Irene Stefanik, Wheeling, Ill., Helen Rothmeyer, Love Park, Ill., Vera Wiest, Fort Atkinson Ethel (Dan) Neuzil, Fort Atkinson and John (Marcia) Blong, Lady Lake, Fla.

Dolores was preceded in death by parents, Alfred and Edna (Bertges) Mitchell; a daughter, Mary Jo; a son, Donald Joseph; sister, Margaret (Marinus) Mihm; and brothers, Bud Mitchell and Alfred Mitchell; brothers-in-law: Clarence Wiest, Donald Rothmeyer and Paul Thomas; one sister-in-law, Marcella (George) Nicolous.