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.