DEAN BLASER

LAMAR-Masonic Rites will be conducted at 12:20 p.m., Thursday, at Daniel Funeral Home, for Dean Blaser, 89, Lamar, who died early Tuesday morning, Nov. 1, 2016, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, surrounded by family. Visitation will follow prior to the 2 p.m. funeral service. Burial, with full military honors, will be in Lake Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rachel Blaser Scholarship Fund or A.O.K. (About Our Kids), in care of the funeral home.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Dolores, of the home; children, Candy Fields and husband Dan, Murfreesboro, Ark., Roger Blaser and wife Ann, Lamar, Rita Wolf and husband Bruce, Liberal and Sheila Temple and husband Rick, Springfield; a brother, Larry Blaser, Lamar; a sister, Carole Powell and husband Kenneth, Denton, Texas; 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, Randy “Brillo” and Becky Blaser and a granddaughter, Rachel Blaser.

Mr. Blaser was born April 29, 1927, in Garber, Okla., the first of three children of Werner and Alma (Hauser) Blaser. At age 14 he moved with his family to Barton County, graduating with the class of 1945 in Lamar. Eager to serve his country, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, learning and utilizing cryptology skills during World War II. His first job after returning home took him to Colorado to work as a lineman for J.R. Foree, where he met the love of his life, Dolores Turvey. They were married April 10, 1949 at Julesburg, Colo. and made their home and farmed near Lamar for the next nine years. He then became an agent for Farmers Mutual, now known as American Family Insurance and established Blaser Insurance Company in 1959. Maintaining an interest in farming, he continued to raise cattle, dabbled in ostrich production and had horses for his kids to enjoy after moving into town. Because he was a genuine “people person”, the job he found most satisfying was the 40-year span of clerking for Davis & Frieden Auctioneers.

Always interested and involved in his community, he was the charter president of Lamar Lions Club; a 50 year member of Lamar Masonic Lodge, past-master of the Rajah of the Stockton Shrine Club and charter member of Lamar Shrine Club. His greatest joy came from spending time with family, especially his grandkids and great-grandkids. He was an active member and former deacon of First Christian Church.