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FAIRMONT -- Jack W. Blien, age 91, of Fairmont, Minn., passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Season's Health Care Center in Trimont, Minn.
He was born Nov. 28, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minn., son of Phillip and Althea Blien and moved to Fairmont in 1936 where he attended Fairmont schools, graduating from Fairmont High School in 1949. He attended the U of M, graduating and receiving a U.S. Army
commission as a 2nd Lt. in June 1954. In October 1954 he was called to active duty at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. In 1955/1956, he attended and completed Army fixed wing flight training in Texas and at Fort Rucker, Ala. Three months later he attended and completed Army helicopter school. In his 21 years of military service he spent 5 1/2 years in Germany, 1 year in Korea, 2 combat tours in Vietnam, many assignments in the continental U.S., and retired as a Lt. Col. on 1 July 1975. He returned to the Martin
County area in October 1982. He was a member of Fairmont Congregational Church.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Delores; brother, Phillip Blien and his wife, Joan; and son, Kevin Blien. Jack is survived by his wife, Audrey Blien; son, Chris and his wife, Pam of Houston, Texas; daughter, Lisa Blien of Gainesville, Fla.; daughter, Diane Blien of Huntsville, Ala.; son, Eric Blien of Panama City, Fla.; and three grandsons, Mitchell, Josh and Everett Blien. Memorials may be sent to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or Wounded Warrior Project. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net