Blaine Gradus Vriezelaar

Blaine Gradus Vriezelaar was born on April 21,1926 to parents Gradus A and Nettie B (Herwehe) Vriezelaar, in the downstairs bedroom of the family farm in rural Marion County Iowa. He arrived before Dr. Carpenter made it to the delivery. He was the youngest of five children joining siblings Kathryn, James, Jean, and Korrine.

Blaine attended country schools until the age of 12 and then enrolled in Monroe Community School. Saving money was important to him starting at a young age, so much so that he was able to purchase his first car at age 14. The 1929 Model A Coupe was $40, and Blaine had a school permit so he could drive it into Monroe to school. Graduating at 17 years old during the height of WWII, he enlisted right away in the Army Air Corp but could not be on active duty until he turned 18. Blaine was a “radio man” serving three years at various bases around the United States. After discharge he enrolled at Iowa State University for two winter quarters in the Farm Operations program. He joined the Theta XI fraternity and was honored as a 75-year member in 2023. He was also honored as a 75-year member of the American Legion Fred Slayden Post 363 having joined immediately upon discharge.

Blaine was a life-long farmer, beginning as a boy on the family farm. His father used horses to pull the equipment. He would say that starting out the horses knew more than he did. He was active in 4H, raising Tamworth hogs and showing them at the Marion County Fair and the Iowa State Fair. He could make a little more money by showing a hog breed that wasn’t well known. After many decades, Blaine fully retired from farming in 2006 at age 80.

Reading was a priority in his family growing up. An avid reader his entire life, he started with Boy’s Life magazine. As an adult he read two daily newspapers, a host of magazines, and many farm publications. His favorite books were old westerns by authors Zane Gray and Louis L’Amour. In retirement Blaine enjoyed walking, playing Pitch, Cribbage, and Poker; and visiting with others. It also allowed Blaine and Kay to spend the winter months in Arizona where they made many good friends. While there, he would regularly play shuffleboard and Texas Hold’em. Returning to Iowa he could be found with the coffee group at Kane’s Welding, later Kane Salvage. A 50-year member of the Monroe United Methodist church, he served on the Board of Trustees, attended the men’s group, and assisted with the various church activities. During the summer of 1954 he went on a blind date with Kay Ann Zimmerman to the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines. He liked her well enough to be married four months later. They lived in a few apartments around Monroe and the little house on Snowbird Road before building their family home on Draper Road in 1964. They had four children Stanley Gradus, Dean Keith, Thomas Alton, and Molly Kay. Blaine and Kay celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on October 30, 2024, at their winter home in Casa Grande Arizona.

Blaine passed away on December 23, 2024, in Arizona.

He is survived by his wife Kay and their children. Stanley Gradus Vriezelaar and spouse Jaye Shyken; Noah Vriezelaar; Seth and Danielle Vriezelaar; Holly and Colette; Shaina Vriezelaar; Dean Keith Vriezelaar; Blaine Vriezelaar and spouse Ellie Ankeny; Fira and Remy; Brandon Vriezelaar; Bryan and Shannon Vriezelaar ; Colby, Ian, Luella, and Toby; Thomas Alton Vriezelaar; Molly Kay Vriezelaar and David Mortimer; Kristopher Harthoorn and spouse Alexandra Shaeffer; Samuel and Hannah Harthoorn; Hannah Rose (Harthoorn) and Lukas Schmitt; Piper Mortimer. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews along with their children. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings plus their spouses.

Visitation with the family will be Friday January 3, 2025, from 4-6pm at the Monroe United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be at the church on Saturday January 4, 2025, at 10:30am with a private burial service following. After the burial, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Methodist Church, all are welcome to attend.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Monroe Fire Department (Please make checks payable to “Monroe Fire Department”). or the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity (Please make checks out to GDM Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 716, Des Moines, IA 50303, with “Jasper County Habitat for Humanity in the memo.” Or go to, http://www.jaspercountyhabitat.org/donate to give online.) If you are unable to attend and wish to send a memorial, please make it out to, “Attn: Blaine Vriezelaar, Coburn Funeral Home, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, IA 50054.”