George B. Blodig

George B. Blodig, 86, Atchison, Kansas died Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, December 9, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Benedict's Church with Rev. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A Parish rosary will be recited on Thursday, December 8, at 6:00 P.M. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with visitation with the family to follow until 7:30 P.M. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict Parish or St. Benedict's Abbey and may be left in care of the funeral home.

George was born on January 26, 1930 in Atchison, Kansas the son of Leopold and Freida (Stolp) Blodig. He attended Shannon Hill Grade School and graduated from Atchison County Community High School in 1947. He graduated from Emporia State University in 1957 and completed his Master's Degree in the summer of 1959. He also attended the National Railroad School of Telegraphy and Teletype.

He and Dorlene (George) Blodig were united in marriage on August 26, 1958 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Garden City, Kansas.

George taught mathematics at Garden City Junior College from January 1957 until May of 1958. He then moved to Atchison, Kansas and began teaching at St. Benedict's College, now Benedictine College, in the mathematics department from August 1958 until his retirement in May of 1997. He also taught at Highland Community College, night classes at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and night classes at the Federal Prison.

George served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army with the basic heavy weapons in the 101st Airborne Division overseas from May 11, 1951 until his honorable discharge on February 11, 1954.

He was a member of the St. Benedict Parish in Atchison, participating at St. Benedict's Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree Sacred Heart Council #723. He was also a member of the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #647, V.F.W. Post #1147, Fleming-Jackson-Seever American Legion Post #6, College Organizations, Mathematical Association of America, Kappa Mu Epsilon and Phi Delta Kappa.
George was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; his great grandchildren called him "Grumps".

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Dorlene Blodig, Atchison, KS, one son, Jeffrey (Allison) Blodig, Ozawkie, KS, three daughters, Debbie (Billy) Beagle, Atchison, KS, Deidre Keith, Kansas City, MO, Denise Blodig (Gene Gregory), Franktown, CO, twelve grandchildren, Jeremy Beagle, Lance Beagle, Ashley (Keith) Griffin, Samantha Keith, Sidney Keith, Justin Gregory, Reed Gregory, Lane Gregory, Nicci Gregory, Pierce Gregory, Chris Gregory, Alex Crouch, and six great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Mary Carol Blodig, three brothers, William, Joe, and John Blodig, and three sisters, Florentine Blodig, Marie Thomas, and Frances Kelley.