MARQUETTE, Mich. - Frank Blemberg, 91, formerly of 907 Adams St. died early Thursday morning at the D J Jacobetti Home for Veterans where he had resided for the past three years.
Frank was born on May 3, 1921 in Marquette a son of Elizabeth (Van Parr) and John Blemberg and was a graduate of Bishop Baraga High School. He spent the next few years working as a carpenter at Spear & Sons until enlisting in the US Navy during World War II where he was a Cabinetmaker 1st class from September, 1942 until his discharge in October 1945.
On March 31, 1945 during a leave home to Marquette, he married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Jeanette Johnson. After his return from the war, he worked at Spears once again until the early 1950s when he became a firefighter for the City of Marquette. He held that job until going to work for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections at the Marquette Branch Prison in 1956 until his retirement in 1982. Although he had few hobbies other than activities with family, after retirement he did take up golfing (much to his wife's delight) and even scored a hole in one at Marquette Golf & Country Club.
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Frank Blemberg
Growing up as one of fifteen children, Frank learned from an early age to do things for others, appreciate and take care of what you have and only buy what you can pay for, traits that stayed with him his entire life. He was always there when anyone needed help with a project or needed something built. He was a strong, hardworking man with a gentle and loving soul, especially with his family whom he loved dearly. By his own example he instilled in his children and grandchildren the value of honesty, hard work, loyalty, generosity and kindness. Frank was the primary caregiver and a fierce advocate for his wife for many years prior to their moving to assisted living and then on to the Jacobetti Home.
He is survived by his children, Susan (Robert) Hogg, James (Mary) Blemberg and JoAnn Blemberg all of Marquette; his grandchildren, Lesley and Erin (Alan Card) Hogg, Derek (Niki) Blemberg, Terry (Bobbi) Hokenson and Dax Blemberg, two great-grandsons, Drake and Caiden Blemberg; sisters, Leona (Melvin) Kevern, Jeanette Pascoe, and Ann (Walter) Cook all of Marquette and Margaret (William) Nystrom of DePere, WI, and brothers, John of Marquette and Ronald (Kay) of Sun City, AZ; sisters-in-law, Mary Blemberg of Huntington Beach CA, and Joan Blemberg of Marquette and many nieces and nephews.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of nearly sixty-five years; sisters, Marie Hokenson, Frilda Bertrand and Evangeline Rosewall; brothers, George and Edward Voet, and Peter, Alphonse and Joseph Blemberg.
According to Frank's wishes no service will be held. A private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be directed to the Jacobetti Members Assistance Fund for the benefit of our military veterans.
Our family wants to thank the amazing staff of the D J Jacobetti Home for the wonderful care they provided our dad for the past three years. While we mourn the loss of our father/grandfather, we are so blessed to have had him in our lives for so many years and we take comfort in knowing that he's now with our mother/grandmother which was what he always wanted. Together forever. The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family where condolences may be left online at www.swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com.