William Blaine

William "Bill" Blaine, age 77 of Little Falls, MN passed away Monday, June 4, 2007 at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Nick Landsberger officiating. Interment will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery in Little Falls. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Friday and Saturday from 9:00-10:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. A rosary will be said at 4:30 P.M. Friday at St. Mary's Church followed by Knights of Columbus Office for the Dead at 6:00 P.M. and Parish Prayers at 7:00 P.M. Arrangements are with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (East Chapel) in Little Falls. Bill was born May 10, 1930 in Culdrum Township, Morrison County, MN to the late Joseph and Agnes (Oldakowski) Blaine. He grew up in Morrison County where he attended country school and graduated from Little Falls High School with the Class of 1948. He was united in marriage to Rita T. Super on June 13, 1953 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. Bill and Rita had four daughters, Mary Elizabeth, Julie, Therese and Christine. Bill began working at The Little Falls Daily Transcript in June of 1948 as a printer's devil and worked there, except while in the military, for 32 years. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in 1948 serving during the Korean Conflict from January 4, 1950 until October of 1952. He continued his service in the Minnesota National Guard retiring from the National Guard in 1985. At the age of 42 years, Bill was named plant manager at The Transcript. He later ran The Transcript printing department until January of 1982, when he and Rita purchased The Little Falls Daily Transcript from Gannett. Bill and Rita changed the name to Blaine Printing operating the plant until their retirement in May of 1994. Bill was committed to his community serving on The City Housing and Redevelopment Board as chairman for 18 years, The Economic Development Authority serving as chairman from 1998 to present, St. Camillus Advisory Board serving as chairman for two terms, St. Mary's School Board for three terms (two of which he served as chairman), member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls serving as chairman of the money counters for 45 years, Eucharistic Minister from 1989 to present and was currently serving as chairman of the maintenance committee at St. Mary's Church, Camp Ripley Citizens Advisory Committee from 1990 to present, a founder of the Central Minnesota Ethanol Co-op serving as President of the Board from 1994-2002, a member of the Morrison County Bowling Association serving as a board member and secretary from 1958 until 2006 and a life member of the Little Falls American Legion Post 46. Bill will be greatly missed by his family and everyone that knew him. Bill is survived by his wife, Rita T. (Super) Blaine; daughters, Mary E. Beech & husband, Brian, of Bloomington, MN, Julie Herzog & husband, Tom, of Stevens Point, WI, Therese M. Blaine & husband, Robert Sauer, of Minneapolis, MN and Christine A. Blaine & husband, Rick Stapleton, of Gurnee, IL; brothers, Gerald Blaine & wife, Joann, of Flensburg, MN and Joseph Blaine & wife, Barbara, of Plymouth, MN; grandchildren, Mark Motsko, Steven Beech, Jeff Herzog, Scott Herzog, Dan Herzog, Simon Blaine-Sauer, Isaac Blaine-Sauer, Joseph Stapleton, Peter Stapleton and a great-grandchild, Tristan Motsko. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph & Agnes Blaine, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Casketbearers are Greg McGillis, Larry Bondley, Joe Monn, Steve Moore, Brian Blaine and Jim Blake. Honorary Pallbearers are Bill's grandchildren, Mark Motsko, Steven Beech, Jeff Herzog, Scott Herzog, Dan Herzog & Simon Blaine-Sauer. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Mary of Lourdes Catholic School or St. Mary's Parish.