The funeral service for George R. Blouin of Ellendale will be 1 p.m. on Saturday at First Lutheran Church, Ellendale. The Rev. Arne Halbakken will officiate. Interment will be in Owatonna Memorial Gardens, Owatonna. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

George died on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002, at the Owatonna Hospital. He was 72 years old.

George was born Aug. 13, 1930, at Waterville, Minn., to George Norbert and Irene (Luker) Blouin. On Sept. 27, 1950, he married Jean L. Matthies in Waseca. George has lived in Waseca County, Steele County, Lemond Township, and in Ellendale since 1964. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Ellendale. George worked for Continental Casting, Chicago Northwestern Railroad, Ellendale Cennex and Greenview Rest Stop on Interstate 35 south of Owatonna. He also helped many local farmers. George was a member of the United Steel Workers. George was a very good story teller, he enjoyed gardening, helping people, reading, making canes from diamond willow wood. He was also a handyman, George especially enjoyed being around his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

George is survived by six sons: Jerry Blouin and his wife Tanya of Ellendale, Dennis Blouin and his wife Glenda of Ellendale, Doug Blouin and his wife Julie of Ellendale, Curt Blouin and his wife Audrey of Hope, Craig Blouin and his wife Anne of Ellendale, and Chris Blouin and his wife Stacey of Ellendale; grandchildren: Katrina Blouin, Angela Sikel, Dan Mischke, Sarah Zamora, Tiffany Mischke, Kari Blouin, Shaun Blouin, Cody Blouin, Brianna Blouin, Brittany Blouin, Karly Blouin, Jesse Blouin, Cameron Blouin, Dustin Blouin, Levi Blouin, Tyler Blouin, Brandon Eznauer and Fenton Eznauer; great-grandchildren: McKayla Sikel, Jordan Zamora, Taylor Zamora, Jacob Sikel, Sadie Mollenhauer, Gage Eznauer and Tanner Eznauer; and sisters: Beverly Charlton of Kenyon, Minn., and Florence Kelm of Bemidji, Minn.

George was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean; three daughters: Paula, Pamela and Leslie Anne; and brothers and sisters: Harland Blouin, Lavonne Flynn, Sandra Krau and Luella Preski.