William McClelland Beenblossom

William McClelland “Bill” Beenblossom, age 87, of Washington, Iowa, died Saturday, September 6, 2014, at the Washington County Hospital following a sudden illness. Celebration of life services will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home with Pastor Linda Foor officiating. Military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will be held in conjunction with the memorial service. Calling hours will begin noon Tuesday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Disable American Veterans or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent for Bill’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Bill was born June 5, 1927, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Leslie Mortimer and Roxie May (Lauderman) Beenblossom. He attended Number 7 Country School in Washington County and graduated from Washington High School in 1945. Bill later attended Washington Jr. College in Washington, Iowa. He was married to Pat Heck on May 10, 1949 in West Liberty, Iowa. She preceded him in death in 1976. Bill was united in marriage to Julie Zager on June 3, 1978, in Washington, Iowa. Bill farmed all of his life in Washington County, Iowa, retiring in 2009. He was an active member of the Washington Christian Church, “Disciples of Christ”. He was a Sunday School Teacher, an Elder and was Board Chair for a number of years. Bill served on the Washington County School Board for ten years, was a member of Farm Bureau and was a life member of the National Rifle Association and Whitetails Forever. Bill was a proud Veteran of World War II serving in the United States Navy. He was a member of the Seabees unit 109 where he was a bulldozer operator. He enjoyed woodworking and was proud to work with native Iowa woods that he harvested. He is survived by his wife, Julie Beenblossom of Washington, Iowa; five daughters: Jean Ann Donnelly and husband Doug Sorenson of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Mardi Knerr and husband Randy of Washington, Iowa; JoLynn Koehler and husband Tom of Washington, Iowa; Bert Jaspering and husband Rick of Washington, Iowa; Mary Beth Crawford and husband Mark of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin; step daughter, Mary Downing and husband Dave of Davenport, Iowa; step son, Dale Zager and wife Dustie of Pompano Beach, Florida; seven grandsons: Doug Jones and wife Jennifer, Greg Jones and wife Emilee, Danny Gonterman, Anthony Gonterman and fiancé Shawn Davis, Cpt. John Koehler, O.D., Mike Koehler and Mac Price. He is also survived by step grandchildren, Rick Sorenson, Scott Sorenson, Angela Tims, Sara Warnecke and husband Erik, Kinzie Crawford, Kelsie Crawford, Aaron Jaspering and wife Nikki, Adam Jaspering, Leslie Johnson and husband Ben, Alex Knerr and wife Sarah, Rachael Downing, Teylar Flerchinger; as well as nine great grandchildren and 15 step great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Pat in 1976; one sister, Wilma Jean Beenblossom in 2007; and one son-in-law, Tom Donnelly.

William McClelland Beenblossom

June 5, 1927 - September 6, 2014