Bliek, Randall "Randy" Lee 1958-2024

BLIEK, DRIESEN, VANGROOTHEEST

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/19/2025 at 13:36:12

Randall L. Bliek
June 10, 1958 — October 16, 2024
Rock Valley, Iowa
Rock Valley, IA: Randall “Randy” Lee Bliek, 66, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 23, at 11:00 AM at Rock Valley First Reformed Church with Rev. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. The service can be livestreamed at https://www.rvfrc.org/. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service from 9:00-10:30 AM at First Reformed Church.

Randall “Randy” Lee Bliek was born on June 10th, 1958, to Herb and Mina (Driesen) Bliek in Rock Valley, Iowa. He is the oldest of six siblings. He graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1976. During his time at RVHS he was active in FFA and wrestling. After high school, he started working various jobs including welding, masonry, laying cement, and various packing houses. In 1997 he started working at Siouxland Machine where he served as machine operator. After working all day at the shop, he would drive out to the farm to do chores. He was looking forward to retirement in the coming months. In his younger years, Randy enjoyed his muscle cars and riding horse. One of Randy’s favorite hobbies included being involved with the American Quarter Horse Association and the quarter horse industry. Throughout his 66 years, Randy was known to stir up mischief with his siblings, especially his younger brother Doug. You could always find Randy socializing at any of the local establishments and especially enjoyed that time when his children joined him. Randy was an avid sports fan. He was a die-hard fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 1980, he started dating his “old lady.” Randy and Wanda (Van Grootheest) were later married on June 12, 1982. During their 42 years of marriage, they welcomed four children, Ashley, Halee, Caitlin, and Mitchell, and seven grandchildren. When the kids were younger, Randy and Wanda enjoyed spending many weekends camping with extended family and friends, especially at Lewis and Clark near Yankton, South Dakota.

His children will always remember his witty one-liners. He lovingly had nicknames for his grandchildren that they will always cherish. He enjoyed sharing his love for horses with his children and grandchildren.

Randy is survived by his wife, Wanda; parents, Herb and Mina Bliek; children, Ashley Jarman (Richard Lefevre), Caitlin Bliek, and Mitchell Bliek; grandchildren, Berkley, Briggs, and Bevin Jarman, Brynlee Bliek, Fynlee Storm, and Conor Hein; siblings, Doug (Leanne) Bliek, Dan (Kari) Bliek, Joni (Myron) Van Ginkel, David (Sonja) Bliek, and Susan (Erich) Mahalko; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Halee Bliek and granddaughter, Parker Nicole.

Source: Porter Funeral Home online obituary.