Helen Glee "Dude" Blunt, the daughter of Ellis and Ethel (Wright) Grindle was born July 16, 1921 in Fremont County, near Bartlett, Iowa. She passed away on Friday, August 28, 2015 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 94 years, 1 month and 12 days. Dude was raised on a farm near Strahan, Iowa and graduated in 1939, from Strahan High School, where she played basketball. Dude was united in marriage to Robert R. Blunt on August 17, 1940 at Sidney, Iowa. They began farming north of Hastings, and during this time, Dude worked at an apple orchard prior to the birth of their first child. They later made their home on a farm in the Strahan area, living there until 1980, when they moved to Red Oak. Dude was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching baseball, as she was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals. Dude loved to cook and was an excellent baker, making cookies, pies and jellies for family, friends and neighbors. She loved to spend time outdoors in her flower garden, camping and fishing. Dude was a member of the Strahan Methodist Church and the Strahan Country Dozen Club. Dude was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert on November 8, 1988; daughter, Patricia Rae Blunt; brother, Kenneth Grindle; and son-in-law, Irvin Meadows. Dude is survived by her three children: Sherry Perkins and husband Claude of Randolph, IA; Larry Blunt and wife Denise of China Spring, TX; and Pamela Blunt Meadows of Maitland, MO; 7 grandchildren: Tracy (Becky) Perkins, James Perkins, Debbie (Mike) Lesher, William (Andrea) Perkins, Travis (Betsy) Greever, Kevin (Tami) Blunt, and Karmin Wilson; 2 step-grandchildren: Kayla (Russ) Jacque and Corey (Amie) Campbell; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Deanna Grindle of Red Oak, IA; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Grindle of Malvern, IA; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak Burial in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery, north of Hastings, IA Rev. Gordon Scott, Officiating Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2015. A memorial is being established in Dude's name. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
