William “Bill” Paschal Blashack, age 68 of Nicollet, MN, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at his home. The visitation will be Sunday, April 28 at the Catholic Church of St. Paul in Nicollet, MN from 2-5 PM. The service will be the following day, Monday, April 29 at 10:30 AM at the Catholic Church of St. Paul in Nicollet, MN.
In lieu of flowers, the family will be donating any funds received to multiple organizations in memory of Bill.
Bill was born in Bertha, MN, on September 23, 1955, to Henry and Dorothy (Lippert) Blashack. Early in life, Bill’s family moved to Waldorf, MN, where he enjoyed participating in the 4-H Peppy Peppers, FFA, Boy Scouts (achieving the rank of Eagle Scout), wrestling, and training/playing with his dog Shep. Upon graduating from Waldorf-Pemberton, Bill entered the workforce to help his father run the family creamery (Plum Valley Creamery) and earned his boiler’s license. While in Waldorf, Bill built his first house himself on “Blashack St,” and continued running the family creamery for a few years. Eventually, Bill took a new job running the creamery in Nicollet, MN, which became home for the next 35 years.
Bill married Barb (Bushlack) September 3, 1988, and quickly welcomed two sons: Joseph and Mark. Over the years, Bill challenged himself to jobs outside of the dairy industry in the surrounding area, utilizing his compounding previous experiences. In his spare time, he enjoyed singing in the church choir, training the family dog (Sammy) to do tricks, and serving his community. Bill served as a volunteer firefighter in Waldorf, a third-degree Knight of Columbus, member of the Nicollet Lions Club, facility caretaker and Director of Religious Education for the St. Paul Catholic Church, Cub Scoutmaster for Pack 165 in Nicollet, and Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 29 in North Mankato.
Bill retired as Head Custodian at Nicollet Public School in 2022 where he oversaw several major renovation projects. During his retirement, he took in some relaxation with his favorite television program: The Lawrence Welk Show. Yet, Bill knew how to still stay busy with his collections of creamery memorabilia (milk cans, bottles, etc.) and Tonka trucks. He liked to say that when he retired, he “wants to restore those ‘Tonka Trucks.’” He never did get around to it because he found too much joy in helping others. He often found himself using his life-long skills as a master craftsman to help his sons improve their homes or help build sets for his daughter-in-law’s high school play productions.
While Bill took pride in achieving his life-long goals: retirement and taking a pilgrimage to various Holy sites in Europe with his wife, his biggest achievement was raising his two sons. He was most proud of the boys they were and the men they grew up to be, and he was honored to walk alongside them through life. Bill will be remembered for his endless curiosity, handyman skills, selfless service, love of family, and above all else, his unwavering faith and commitment to God. Bill was a man who put others’ needs before his own, regardless of being asked. Bill always had the desire to do what was right over what was easy. Bill leaves a major void within the Nicollet community, but most of all he will be missed by his friends and family.
Bill is survived by his wife Barbara; sons: Joseph (Julia), Mark (Nicole) Blashack; Grandchildren: Killian, Aria, and baby Blashack expected in May. Siblings; Anne (Casey) Marrin, John (Audrey) Blashack, Michael (Ping) Blashack, Maria (Bob) Miner, Cathrine (Robert Hastings) Blashack, Susan (David) Kirsch, Tom Blashack, Carla (Joe) Gatto; In-Laws: Pat McNeal, Roger Androli, Lois Theobald, and David (Maggie) Bushlack; Numerous nieces and nephews; Grand Puppies: Hagrid, Zoe, and Pippin.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Dorothy Blashack; sister Eleanor McNeal, and in-laws Darrell “Bushy” Bushlack, Karen Androli, Ron Theobald and his dogs: Shep, Duchess, Sammy, and Hunny.
Barb and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Bill’s death. Sympathies being sent to all of you!
Our most sincere sympathies to you Barb and your family.
My deepest sympathy to Barb, the boys, and all the families and friends on the sudden loss of dear Bill. Such an outstanding person with a stellar list of life’s accomplishments and activities. Sending love, hugs, thoughts, prayers and strength in this difficult time.
Barb…I was saddened to hear of Bill’s sudden death. My thoughts are with you and your family. Keep Bill’s memory in your heart. –Merry Beckmann
Barb and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of Bill from the high-school music trip to Hawaii and working on the after prom parties. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deepest sympathies to Barb and your whole family. So sorry for your loss.
Your have our deepest sympathies. We were so lucky to recently visit you both. May God’s love carry you forward ❤️
Condolences from the Kiehne family. In the 15 years I was fortunate to have known Bill by way of a close friendship with his son Joe, I always appreciated his kindness and humor. We send our love to Barb, Joe, Mark, and to the rest of the many people who loved and knew Bill better than we could have ever hoped to.
What a fitting tribute to a great man. I was a classmate of Bill’s and will always remember his gentle soul and quick smile. Just bring around him made you feel better. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with you. May he rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
Barb and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember him from the reunions. He was a very nice man. Prayers for you and your family. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
So very sorry for your loss. Hold the memories close to your heart ❤️
Barb, Sincere sympathy to you and your family on the loss of Bill. May God’s love bring you peace and comfort! 🙏🏻
Barb and family
Condolences to you and your family. You are in my prayers
So sorry for your family’s loss. Sending prayers and hugs.
Dear Barb and the whole family,
I am in disbelief that my beloved cousin Billy is gone. I am so glad we enjoyed the day together last winter when many of us visited Anne and Casey. This was a lovely telling of Billy’s life but we have countless stories left to tell and share with each other. I am sorry not to be able to attend the visitation or funeral but I am there in prayer. Dear kind, gentle and funny Billy will always be a joy by remembering him.
Barb, our thoughts and prayers with you and your family at such a difficult time.
We’re so sorry for your loss, and sending our most heartfelt condolences to your family.
Barb, I just found out about Bill. We are sorry for your loss.
Barb; I am so sorry to hear about your’s and your families loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful person as you have always been. take care and know you are in my prayers.
Lori Wilder-Williams
I came across Bill’s obituary while browsing for hometown news. (I recently retired from a State Department post in Brazil and haven’t moved back to the U.S. yet). I graduated a couple of years behind Bill from WPHS. He was my Boy Scout mentor and often gave me a ride to the Boy Scout meetings at Medo Church. Bill was the first Eagle Scout I ever knew personally. He guided me through the challenges of becoming an Eagle Scout myself. He shared his personal tent with me when we went to Scout Camp—it leaked! But more significantly, Bill shared his insights, talents, and time with me. I felt blessed…and I was.
I was very impressed by Bill’s humble nature and his willingness to turn his words into action. Bill was the type of person who would DO good work and take on big challenges instead of just talking about it. In many ways, he was the person I wanted to be, and I admired him. I remember him building a canoe from strips of wood. There were many challenges along the way because the wood didn’t always behave as the canoe plans said it would. But Bill kept at it with patience and steadfastness. When it was finally finished, he told me, “The construction plans say it should float.” Although I never saw it in the water, I’m sure it did float. When Bill set his mind to achieve something, he would quietly and patiently work towards its accomplishment. I am truly sorry for the great loss to your family and to the world for the passing of such a great spirit.
Barb,
I just heard of the passing of your beloved husband. May God wrap you all in His comforting arms.
Prayers and blessings,
I always looked forward to talking to Billy at the Blashack weddings and Christmas gatherings. It always seemed like I gained a bit of wisdom from him during our conversations. I missed him being there at the last wedding now that he is no longer with us. Prayers to your family.