Edward “Ed” Blink, 98, of Marshalltown, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at Southridge Specialty Care under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice – Des Moines.
Funeral mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Parish: St. Henry Catholic Church on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. A visitation will take place one hour prior, beginning at 10:00 A.M. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials may be directed in Ed’s name to Care Initiatives Hospice – Des Moines, 515-223-3813. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Ed and his family. For additional questions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.
Edward Blink was born August 27, 1922 in Splitrock, WI on Highway 47 beside the Catholic Church to Paul and Mary (McCoy) Blink. He moved to Rhodes to live with his cousin, Bill and his wife until they were expecting their first child. At that time, Ed moved to Marshalltown to go to Catholic school and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1939.
One day, Ed drove Elizabeth Oetker home – and that is where their love story began. They were married May 2, 1944 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill. When their oldest son was seven years old, they purchased an 80 acre farm southwest of Marshalltown. Ed lived on caffeine, farming a total of 840 acres while also working at Emerson – Fisher Controls. Ed recalled having to place a block of wood on the gas pedal so his son could drive the tractor while he threw hay bales on a wagon.
Ed considered himself to be a lucky guy, having survived a crushed leg in an ice house, a burned face from a tractor fire and a heart attack at age 16. Ed was an active member of St. Henry’s, Knights of Columbus and the 25th Club at Fisher. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed camping and collecting antique tractors.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: Laura (Benham) Tompkins of Gladbrook, Roger (Renae) Blink of Marshalltown, John (Jane) Blink of Little Rock, Arkansas; Grandchildren: Christine (Shane) Brand, Melissa (Ray) Williams, Bobbie (Wayne) Penton, John Blink, Joe Blink, Rachel Blink, Shawn (Patience) Blink, Chad (Shawna) Blink, Jodi Fricke and Jill Blink; numerous grandchildren and several other relatives.
Ed is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Elizabeth; his parents Paul and Mary; his son: Edward Blink; his daughter: Nancy Richter; two grandsons: Mike Blink and Benham Tompkins Jr. and siblings: Benny Blink and Helen Shepard.