Doug Blair

Monday, July 11, 2016 4:48 pm

Doug Blair, 70, of Palatine, Ill., formerly of Decorah, died at his home, in his sleep Monday, July 4, 2016. Services are at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Ron Roberts and Rev. Stu Rammes officiating. Organist is Paul Bruvold. Soloist is Bill Hart. Hymns are “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagles Wings” and “Mine Eyes have Seen The Glory.” Interment is at Washington Prairie Cemetery in Decorah. Military rites are by Decorah Area Veterans. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Douglas Elmer Blair was born Feb. 8, 1946, the son of Elmer Blair and Phyllis Bakke in Chicago, Ill. Doug grew up on the Bakke family farm together with his grandparents, Philip and Ida Bakke. Doug attended the Bakke Country School house. Doug graduated from Decorah High School in 1963. He received a BA degree in psychology in 1967 from Luther College in Decorah. Doug married Jane Holthaus July 1, 1967, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah. He received his MA in psychology from St. Mary’s University in 1971, in San Antonio, Texas. He retired from civil service in the Air Force in 2004. His work focused on transferring Air Force Technology to the commercial sector. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, archery, collecting guns and watching NASCAR. He cherished the time he spent with his children, and his grandchildren were the world to him. He was a devout Christian attending Bible Study classes while in Miamisburg, Ohio.

Doug is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer Blair, Plano, Texas and Katie (Mike) McConnell, Cary, Ill.; four grandchildren: Colin, Owen, Reece and Jane McConnell; cousins: Bill (MaryRose) Hart, Greg (Lydia) Hart, Cindy (Steve) Shultz, Corinne (Larry) Snell, Arleen (Jan) Krueger and Alan (Chris) Bakke; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Willard (Mary Ellen) Holthaus, Decorah; Inez (Dan) Schmitt, West Union; Judy (Norbert) Bullerman, Calmar; Dave Holthaus, Decorah; Connie Sande, Decorah; and Max (Karl) Klotzbach, Decorah; three sisters-in-law: Elaine Holthaus, Dubuque; Lorraine Holthaus, Decorah; and Sue Holthaus, Decorah; along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

Doug was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Bakke Blair; his wife, Jane Holthaus Blair, Sept. 6, 2010; his son, Philip Blair, Aug. 1, 2012; his grandparents, Philip and Ida Bakke; uncle, Andrew (Eloise) Bakke; one aunt, Irene (Bill) Hart; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Hilda Holthaus; one sister-in-law, Pat Seiler; three brothers-in-law: Ken Holthaus, Ron Holthaus and Adrian Holthaus.