Neal F. Blinkman

Neal Frederick Blinkman, age 92, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Bloomer. He was born August 16, 1921 in Luverne MN to Chris and Annette (Behnke) Blinkman. He served in the Navy during WWII being stationed on the USS Rockaway, the flagship at Normandy. He married Ingrid L. Anderson on January 24, 1944 in Norfolk VA. Neal was a partner in a Ford dealership in Tracy MN from 1946 – 1952 and was a hardware dealer from 1953 – 1954. From 1955 until 1972 he worked as a teacher, first as a High School Industrial Arts teacher and later as a Vocational Director in Michigan. Neal was an advocate for vocational education and preparing students for the job market. He was instrumental in starting a number of programs to achieve his goal of training students for the job market. One of his greatest accomplishments was developing the Vocational Education Program at Benton Harbor MI, where he also served as principal. In 1977 he received the Wisconsin Industrial Educator of the Year award and, upon his retirement in 1983, the Leader Telegram and Augusta Newspapers wrote articles about Neal, referring to him as “Mr. Vocational Educator”.

He is survived by his wife: Ingrid of Bloomer; one son: Allan (Dianne) Blinkman of Bloomer; one daughter: Karin (Mike) Ruhe of Chippewa Falls; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Chris and Annette Blinkman and one brother: James Blinkman.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bloomer. Following a lunch at the church, burial will take place at the Northern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial in Spooner. Friends may call from 5:00 – 7:00 on Sunday at the Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.