Obituary of Darrel Eugene Blankenbaker

Darrel (Dado) E. Blankenbaker died peacefully in Tucson, AZ, at the age of 92 years and 11 months.  He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marcella (Odle) and seven children.  Nancy and Jerry Lundquist (Sutherland, IA), Thomas E Blankenbaker and Emily (Cave Creek, AZ), David and Cathy Blankenbaker (Tucson, AZ), Barbara Blankenbaker (Tucson, AZ), Diane and Andre Wapstra (Tucson, AZ), Brian and Lynn Blankenbaker (Tucson, AZ), Carol Blankenbaker and Neil (Tucson, AZ).  Together they have 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.  He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister.

Darrel was born on March 1, 1926 in Quimby, Iowa to W.E. and Mary Blankenbaker.  He graduated from I.C. High School, Cherokee, IA and then served in the military.  Darrel married his sweetheart in 1947.  After many years of farming Dado went to work at the Wilson Foods.  While working there the packing house unionized and he became the first President of the Local 179 Union.  This was a position Dado was always proud of.  He went on to become an International Union Representative and held that position until retirement in 1985.

Dado was a true sportsman.  For years he played baseball/softball and was an avid hunter and trapper.  His love for hunting took him to Montana in the fall for many years to hunt elk.  In addition to the hunt he forged lifelong friendships there.  He also loved to shoot trap and, early in his retirement in Texas, spent his time fishing.  In 1995 Dado and Marcy moved to Arizona as snowbirds and have resided there full-time for the past six years.

His life will be celebrated in Tucson on March 1, 2019.  Brings Funeral Home oversees the service which will be held at 11 a.m. with lunch following.