David E. Blattner
Wednesday, March 1, 1939
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Age:
83 years old
Memorial Gathering
Date: Saturday January 21, 2023
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Wednesday, March 1, 1939
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Age:
83 years old
Wednesday, March 1, 1939
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Age:
83 years old
David E. Blattner
David Elmer Blattner, 83, of Rochester, MN, died peacefully Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at his home after a short battle with esophageal cancer.
Dave was born March 1, 1939, in Rochester, MN to Elmer and Dorothy Blattner. He attended school at Rochester High School where he played basketball and coached youth football and baseball. He graduated in 1957.
Dave served in the United States Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from November 1961 to November 1963.
He married Janet Courson in Rochester on January 29, 1965. They were married for 57 years, just eleven days shy of their 58th wedding anniversary.
Dave’s first job was at the Dairy Queen on North Broadway for LeRoy Spratte. After his service in the U.S. Army, he began working at Rochester Public Utilities where he stayed until his retirement 38 years later. After retirement he worked the front desk at the Rochester Athletic Club for 20 years.
Dave loved spending time with his family, reading, watching and playing golf, and shooting hoops. He loved watching his grandkids play sports as well as following high school basketball. In 65 years, Dave only missed 2 Minnesota State High School basketball tournaments.
Although not one to brag, Dave’s most impressive talent was shooting free-throws where he once drew a crowd at the Rochester Athletic Club while sinking 160 free-throws in a row.
Dave and Jan were foster parents where they welcomed 42 teenagers into their home over a span of 10 years. After being foster parents, they served as coordinators and host parents for Educational Foundations (E.F.) for over 35 years hosting teenagers from all around the world. They enjoyed traveling to Spain, the Dominican Republic, Cancun, and wintered in Venice, Port Charlotte areas in Florida the last few years.
Dave is survived by his wife, Janet; brother Charles of Rochester; daughters, JoAnn Blattner (Willie Sheets), Cindy Fjelsted (Jon) and Catherine French (Todd); five grandchildren, Kayla (Fjelsted) Richart (Taylor), Tommy Fjelsted, Eryn Fjelsted, Andy French and Dana French. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Diane Schultz.
A memorial gathering will be held from 3:00pm-5:00pm on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to Paws and Claws or Mayo Hospice.
Condolences
The family of David E. Blattner has received the following condolences.
Hi Chuck,
Though I didn't know your brother, he lived an amazing life and had many talents. 42 foster children! He and his wife had a great impact on so many lives. It is always difficult and sad to lose a family member. May you know how much God loves you and be comforted with good memories. I miss the band very much and am happy to connect with you again for this brief moment.
Clavonne Holter
I'm so thankful that Ray and I were able to have those lunches with you, Dave, Chuck, and Cindy in recent years. It was wonderful to reminisce about the Blattner family gatherings we had while we were all growing up. Such nice memories! I hope all the memories you have of him will be comforting to you and your family now. He will be missed.
Bill and I are sending sympathy and prayers to you, Jan, and your whole family! Sorry we were not able to share in Dave’s celebration of life! I enjoyed the years we all worked at the RAC! Dave was a kind, wonderful and patient man! He will be missed by all who knew him! His Legacy - besides his wonderful family- is truly the number of people he has touched and influenced! Love to you all!
Jan, I remember a lot about Dave when I watched the girls in the summer time. He was a very gentle and patience man. He was easy to talk to. I was recalling once when he gave JOJO a bath. I think he got more wet than she did. It was very funny. He will be missed. Gods love to you and your family.
love, Betty and Ray.
Condolences and prayers on Dave’s passing. We always enjoyed seeing him and his fur babies out for a walk.
Hello Jan and Family,
Your EF Family is sending all of our love and supportive thoughts your way. We hope that the good memories you have of Dave will take the place of sadness during any difficult times ahead. I will always remember Dave as a kind and supportive man and my favorite memories are of the many travels that you shared together during your EF years. You both always lit up the room with warmth and positivity and made the people around you feel welcomed and special. Dave will be greatly missed.
Bob Fredette
I wish to extend a message of deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Dave Blattner. I came to know Dave at the front desk of the RAC during my years in Rochester. i enjoyed our discussions of MN basketball and he was a wonderful man. The RAC couldn't have had a better man to greet its members. I am very sorry for your loss.
I graduated with Dave and got to know him better from class reunion committee meetings. Sandy and I are amazed at Dave & Jan's record of foster care. We have really enjoyed sharing time with them in Florida . Dave was a loyal and humble friend.
So sorry for your lost.. David was a kind man and so fun to know .
You have my sympathy Jan .. he will be missed ..
Love and Hugs Michelle
I always enjoyed Dave at the RAC. One time I watched him shooting basketballs and decided to wait to move on until he missed. It made me late for my tennis game!
Condolences to the whole family and in particular Chuck...I will never forget those Summer Music Projects in the early 1970s!
Dear Jan,
I was so sorry to hear of Dave's passing today. He was a wonderful man with such a kind and generous spirit. Both of you just project love and warmth wherever you go, and I can only imagine how many lives he touched. So many of us old EFers were talking tpday about how much you and Dave both have meant to us. Please know that during this difficult time, so many people are holding you in their hearts.
With my deepest sympathy,
Megan Allen
Jan, we are very sorry for your loss. We will be keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave was my neighbor. I only got to know him the last couple of years. He ended up being the best neighbor ever because he liked my Yorkie Sassy so much and took care of her when I was out of town and watched her during the day while I was at work. Sassy loved him and couldn't wait to be with him. I'm so honored to have known this veteran and lovely, kind man. He gave so much to so many people and he will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. Best Foster Dad ever. Kind, patient and fair. David never got riled up until it was time to take Cindy to a big wrestling tournament. What a hoot watching those two get psyched for a big match. He will be missed.
Kelly
My warmest thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. You were all beyond blessed to have such a kind gentle soul in your lives.
We are so sorry to learn of Dave's death. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. and host father/foster father. He was always so kind and good-hearted. We send our condolences to Jan and his entire family. He will be missed!
I only knew Dave from his calm, welcoming face and greetings at 5am at the Rochester Athletic Club. We were sorry to see him leave the RAC when he retired from there, and sad to hear of his passing now. He touched many lives. May the angels lead him in to paradise. Our sympathies to his family.
David was really one of the greatest people I have ever known & I am so glad he was part of my family. He was always one to make you feel welcome, he always asked what you were doing & even if it had been years since I had talked with him, he still remembered things about me! I have always admired his work ethic, his belief in giving back & his devotion to his family. I know his little dogs were waiting to greet him at heaven's gate!
Jan and family..so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. What a wonderful man he was. I so enjoyed 7 years of working in the same office with him at Silver Lake Plant 1980-87. Great memories I hold in my heart.