James Blaedorn, 70, of Redfield died Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Hospice of Arizona in Mesa, Ariz. His funeral will be Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational UCC Church in Redfield. The Rev. Tim Fugman will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation will be Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m., with the family present from 5 to 6 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield.
James Lyndon Blaedorn was born June 13, 1942, in Redfield to William and Louise (Carlson) Blaedorn. He was one of 11 children. He grew up in Redfield and graduated from Redfield High School in 1961. He started working for Irwin Oil Company, at the age of eight years old, sorting pop bottles and later worked for many gas stations in Redfield. Jim worked in law enforcement throughout his life, including for the Redfield Police Department, Spink County Sheriff's Department and security for the trustee unit at SDDC-Redfield. He often worked second jobs including, painting, driving school bus, security and cutting meat.
Jim married Barbara Harford on June 22, 1961, in Redfield, they were married for 51 years.
Many people in the community knew Jim as a handyman. He enjoyed woodworking, remodeling projects, camping and going south for the winter. His pride and joy were his grandchildren.
Blessed to have shared his life are his wife, Barb; their children: Janet Miller of Aberdeen, and her children: Emily and Matt; Deanna (Galen) Koester of Redfield and their children: Leslie (Curtis) Ford, Travis, Kailee and Molly; and Chuck (Sue) Blaedorn of Zimmerman, Minn., and their children: Katie, Jacob and Gracie. He is also survived by his siblings: William (Betty) Blaedorn of Tempe, Ariz.; Virginia (Dale) Marlow of Redfield; Pat Aldrich of Kingman, Ariz.; Bonnie Herren of Redfield; Marquita (Alfred) Carlson of Wheaton, Minn.; David Blaedorn of Aberdeen; Rich (Julie) Blaedorn of Aberdeen; and Bob (Nancy) Blaedorn of St. Lawrence.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Katheryn; infant son, Michael; brother, Gary Blaedorn; sister, Betty Helm; and son-in-law, Roy Miller.
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