Delbert "Del" James Blando

Mass of Christian Burial for Delbert James "Del" Blando, 86, of Aberdeen, will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 6, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Shane D. Stevens, Celebrant.

Burial, with military rites conducted by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post #24 of Aberdeen, will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, at the mortuary, with a Liturgical Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before Mass at church on Thursday.

Del passed away Sunday, November 2, 2014, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen.

Del was born March 13, 1928 on a family farm west of Aberdeen. He was the fourth of seven children of Philip and Mary (Hoffart) Blando. Del attended Riverside Country School, Aberdeen Central High School and Northern State College.

Del was in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952, ending his service at the rank of Army Sergeant First Class.

In 1958 he married Vernice Stocking of Britton. They had two children, Margaret Mary "Peg" and David James.

Del owned Blando Plumbing and Heating for many years. He worked on the construction of Dakota Midland Hospital and was then hired to manage their maintenance department.

Del was a kid-magnet and a cheerful face around Aberdeen for 86 years. He ushered at Sacred Heart Church for over 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brother, Leo Blando; sisters: Helen Blando and Eva Ann Losacker; brothers-in-law: Warren Losacker, Richard Ellingson and Bub Stocking; and sisters-in-law: Velma Blando, wife of Leo, and Vivian Stocking, wife of Howard.

Del is survived by his children: Peg McQuillan (Al Porter), Minneapolis, MN, and David Blando, Aberdeen; grandchildren: Jay Philip McQuillan, Minneapolis, Abigail Macrae McQuillan, Madison, WI, and Alec Britton McQuillan, Minneapolis; sister, Kathy Ellingson, Aberdeen; brothers: Joe Blando (Marie), Aberdeen, and Ed Blando (Cathy), Cedar Rapids, IA; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Gene (Lavonne) Stocking, Merlin (Rita) Stocking, Ron (Jan) Stocking, all in the Twin Cities; Howard Stocking, Britton, and Rose Stocking (widow of Bub Stocking), Mitchell. Uncle Del will be so sadly missed by dozens of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

As much as Del loved flowers, please consider a gift to Boys Town Nebraska or Avera St. Luke's Hospice, two organizations he supported, in his name.