Harry Blecha

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Harry Blecha was born to Joseph Frank and Mary (Dezort) Blecha on March 6, 1922, near Burchard, Nebraska. He died Dec. 26, 2019.

He was one of nine children, having three brothers and five sisters. He rode the train with his family to Platner at age 3. The family moved to a ranch north of Haigler, Nebraska, when he was 6.

He attended a one-room schoolhouse, District 43, until eighth grade, where he developed a life-long appreciation for education. His education continued as he became an accomplished mechanic, veterinarian, accountant, carpenter, excellent farmer and great teacher.

 He began his farming career with his father and learned early in life the joys and sorrows of working with horses, fighting grasshoppers, drought and hail storms, picking corn by hand, and raising hogs and cattle.

 As a young man he loved playing baseball, going to dances and farming with work horses.

 At a community baseball game, he met his best friend’s sister, Dorothy Peterson. After many baseball games and dances, they were married in Kansas on Oct. 16, 1943. They lived north of Haigler on the home place where their first child, Beverly Sue, was born. Sixteen months later, their first son, Gary Dewayne, was born.

 In 1948, the young family moved to Yuma County after purchasing the “Right-Type Stock Farm” in the Wauneta community north of Wray. There, David Stuart and Kelly Lou were born.

 His community contributions and activities included Wauneta 4-H leader, Wauneta Volunteer Fire Department chief, school bus driver, Sandhills baseball team, local, regional and state bowling teams, golfing, and a charter board member and district director of the Sandhills Groundwater Management District.

 He loved the family gatherings with 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

 He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy; daughter-in-law, Dee Blecha; and his parents, brothers and sisters.

 He is survived by his daughter, Beverly and Parker Newbanks Jr.; son, Gary and Gayle; son, Stuart; daughter, Kelly; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

 Funeral services were held Dec. 31 at the Haigler United Methodist Church, with Pastor Gary Fisher officiating. Interment was held at the Haigler Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Wauneta Volunteer Fire Department or Wray High School baseball team.

Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray was in charge of arrangements.

Holyoke Enterprise

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130 N Interocean Ave
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Holyoke CO 80734