Jerry Blaesing Had the Right Job - Plumb, Level, and Square

Here is the Eulogy/Story my dad Joe Blaesing (the middle child) delivered at Grandpa Jerry's Funeral. I love you Dad and I miss you Grandpa.......

All of us leave some type of legacy from our time spent on earth. God has a plan for all. Dad was blessed with a long life, he came from a large family, he married into a large family, and he helped create a large family and when Sylvia came into our lives our family got bigger as we gained a sister and her family.
What I find of interest beyond the families is Dad’s work. Plumb, level, and Square.
Brick layers need to understand plumb, level, and square to be successful and Dad was a successful bricklayer. There are many homes and businesses around Muscatine that Dad has touched. There are a lot of fancy fireplaces and routine flat driveways that Dad started and finished.
When I was a freshman at Hayes High School the basketball coach said he was amazed that when the side baskets were install in the 1960s, that volunteers like Dad and guys like Lefty Garvin and others, could drill a hole in concrete part of the way through the wall and then go outside and drive another hole and have the holes meet in the middle. Simple geometry but also exacting plumb, level, and square. Professionals.
When guys like Dad came home from the Second World War they built things. They built schools like Hayes, homes, businesses, families, and social organizations. Dad was very active in the Elks Club. He was an officer for many years in the Elks but what many of you don’t know is he was on the Ritual team at the Elks. Dressed in a tuxedo and moving perfectly on a stage and reciting lines perfectly from memory. Some of his teams won state and national honors. Plumb, level, and square.

“College is for people who didn’t learn enough in high school.” Heard that a few times but I believe Dad was very proud that all of his children finished college and he valued education and educated successful people. Ted and I, and few of our brothers-in-laws, worked with Dad and got to experience his management skills first hand. Herding a group of tough guys to do tough work and finish a job on time and for a profit was hard to do. Dad led by example and could outwork anyone on the crew occasionally smoking a cigar as he worked. We learned how to do a 3 – 4 - 5 to square up a corner. We learned how to plan and then work the plan. Lessons for life. Plumb, level, and square.
Dad liked to socialize, he liked to dance, and I doubt that any of his children can dance as well as he could, he liked live entertainment and plays, especially comedies. He liked the big Noll reunions and enjoyed my aunts and uncles and my cousins and the kids of cousins and that big loud and messy get together which is anything but plumb, level, and square.
Dad’s life did not end plumb, level, and square but that is they way most of us are going to end. Putting our lives in others hands is difficult when you are use to being in charge of plumb, level, and square, but that’s the way it ended and we just have to pray that God has a place for plumb, level, and square in heaven.

Photos...

If any of you have photos you want to share send me them via email at mudnmaps at gmail dot com... and I will post them to the site. Vintage ones would be great! thank you all for sharing.

Does any one have any idea how many of us called him Godfather. I was one, my son Rob as also his godchild as well as Kathy. How many more?

HOW I WILL MISS MY UNCLE JERRY
MY HEART AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO MY FAMILY
LOVE YOU ALL
JULIA

Uncle Jerry

Uncle Jerry was my Godfather and I have such fond memories him and Aunt Mary in their house on the edge of the cemetery. The house, basement and workshop... I am heartbroken that we have lost our most elegant, gracious and wonderful Uncle. I have visions of him and Aunt Mary, my father too happy and young.

Dad

Thanks Shawn

Love ya

Dad

I remember Uncle Jerry always say "Hi Ugly" when he saw me. Of course, I always called him a"Grumpy of man" or "Old Fart". Going back to Iowa won't be the same without seeing him. I will miss him so much. My prayers are with Cindy, Ted, Joe, Joyce, Gloria, Sylvia, and all the rest of the family he leaves behind.