John Blotske, age 86 of Underwood, ND died Thursday evening, February 18, 2010 at the Prairieview Nursing Home in Underwood.

Funeral Services: 10:00 AM Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010;
St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church – Underwood;
Rev. Frank J. Schuster, Celebrant.

Interment: 3:00 PM Tuesday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery – Mandan.

Visitation: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Monday at Goetz Funeral Chapel in Underwood;
7:00 PM Prayer Service at St. Bonaventure's church.

John was born Aug. 31, 1923 in Selfridge, ND to Joseph & Theresa (Jochim) Blotske. He attended school in Selfridge through the eighth grade. He entered the Civilian Conservation Corps as a young man and worked for a short time in Montana. John was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and served in Germany. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1946. John married Mary Riehl on Feb. 7, 1950 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Carson, ND. In 1951, he became part-owner of Blotske Brothers Construction along with his brother Frank. They worked various jobsites including building dams and roads throughout North Dakota and South Dakota until 1964. He was a member of the Sportsman Club, the Knights of Columbus & the V.F.W. while living in Selfridge. In 1968, he moved to Seattle, WA before relocating to Underwood, ND in 1970. John was employed with Berzina Construction Co. and helped in the construction of the McClusky Canal and the roadway across Lake Audubon. In 1972, John began his custom grain cleaning business, building four grain cleaners and eventually working a tri-state region. John later turned the family business over to his sons, who now operate Blotske Grain Cleaning.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Blotske of Underwood; four sons & daughters-in-law, Allen (JoAnn) of Bismarck, Dale (Marcia), Joe (Laura), & John John (Terri), all of Underwood; one daughter & son-in-law, Valerie (Curtis) Kinn of Underwood; 18 grandchildren & 10 great-grandchildren; one brother & two sisters-in-law, Jack (Connie) Blotske of Gaylord, MI, and Margaret Blotske of Selfridge, ND; two sisters & brother-in-law, Dorothy (George) Vetter of Bismarck, and Ann Bruner of Bismarck; and many nieces & nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, & two sisters.