Blackburn, Harry William 1938 - 2025

BLACKBURN, WRIGHT, MARONDE, MUNKEL, PONATH, LENSING, SCHMELE, JOHNSON, SCHROEDER, FOATE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/14/2025 at 10:46:54

Harry Blackburn, 87, of Lime Springs, IA passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Evans Senior Living Community in Cresco, IA.

Harry William Blackburn was born at home on January 8, 1938 to Carl and Ethel (Wright) Blackburn in Woodbury County near Sioux City, IA. As a very young child, Harry’s family moved to a farm near Grundy Center, IA. During his senior year, the family moved to a farm southeast of Lime Springs, allowing Harry to graduate from Lime Springs High School with the Class of 1956.

He married Lola Maronde on February 2, 1961. They made their home in Charles City, IA and to this union four children were born. Harry worked for 15 years at Oliver in Charles City. While working at Oliver, Harry also ran a motorcycle shop. He not only sold and repaired motorcycles, but even did some motorcycle racing for a few years.

Together they purchased a farm near Alta Vista, IA where Harry began farming and continued working at Oliver for 5 years. They purchased a larger farm west of Lime Springs, which gave him the opportunity to raise dairy cows, feeder cattle and pigs. Eventually, moving onto his home place (southeast of Lime Springs), where he has lived for over 43 years.

In 1987, Harry and Lola purchased a building in downtown Decorah and started H&L Toys and Coins. They owned and operated the business for 28 years, in addition to running the farm. Following his retirement from the store, he stayed actively involved with the farming operation. Harry truly loved his days on the farm.

Harry enjoyed racing motorcycles, playing cards, shooting pool and coin collecting, which inspired the H&L Toys and Coins business adventure.

Harry is survived by his wife of 64 years Lola, four children: David (Carolina) Blackburn of Austin, MN; Connie (Jon) Munkel of Lime Springs, IA; Janet (Steve) Ponath of St. Cloud, MN; and Peggy (Chuck) Lensing of Ridgeway, IA; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two sisters Alice Schmele and Nancy Johnson, sister-in-law Marcy Schoeder, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Ethel, a sister Ruth, three brothers-in-law: Dennis Johnson, Arvey Foate and Robert Schroeder, and two nephews Jimmy Schmele and Scott Schroeder.

Source: Schmelzer Funeral Home database

Pleasant Hill Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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