Dale Blichmann

Dale A. Blichmann, 86, of Kingsford, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain. He was born March 12, 1925, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of the late Arthur and Florence (Leib) Blichmann. Dale graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1943, and enlisted in the United States Army a few weeks later. He served his country during World War II in New Guinea, landing at Lingayan on Luzon, and spent some three months in Japan after the war. Upon being discharged from the service, he went on to college, first majoring in forestry, and then English. He began teaching in Kingsford in 1956, married Lorraine Bjorkquist the following June, and taught at Kingsford High School some 28 years. He taught American Literature, Composition, and Latin. He was involved in debate and the photo club, track and cross country. He enjoyed running and was one of the original joggers in the area. Dale also enjoyed hiking, and backpacking. He was an active member of the "Right To Life" since 1972. He organized two local photography shows, "A Day in the Life of Dickinson County" and "My Seven Best Photos," and he was an active member of Road to Recovery. He loved writing and at the age of 80 wrote his autobiography. He was a member of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Secular Order of the Carmelites. Dale is survived by his loving wife, Lorraine Blichmann of Iron Mountain; sons, Bob (Betsy) Blichmann of Charlotte, N.C., Tom Blichmann of Norway, and Jim (Jodi) Blichmann of Hudsonville, Mich.; seven grandchildren, Paul and Clara Blichmann, Brenda (Jeff) Gurchinoff and Dana Blichmann, Jennifer Blichmann, Justine (Matt) Anderson, and Jeffrey Blichmann; and a brother, Richard (Barbara) Blichmann of Dubuque, Iowa. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Blichmann. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the church. Fr. Daniel Zaloga will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Condolences to the family of Dale Blichmann may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Dale Blichmann

January 5, 1926 - January 5, 2012