Edward Blando

EDWARD BLANDO

Cedar Rapids

Edward Michael Blando, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, aged 77, died June 3, 2016, after a long, and for the most part, peaceful coexistence with pancreatic cancer.

Ed was born Sept. 29, 1938, in Aberdeen, S.D., the son of Philip and Mary (Hoffert) Blando. Ed graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1956. He then graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen in 1962. Subsequently, he graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School in 1968. He was admitted to the South Dakota Bar Association in 1968. He then moved to Iowa and was admitted to the Iowa State Bar Association in 1976.

Ed served as assistant attorney general, South Dakota, from 1968 to 1969; state's attorney, Hughes County, South Dakota, 1971 to 1975; and assistant attorney general, area prosecutors section, Iowa, 1978 to 1980. He was a partner in private practice with Elderkin Pirnie law firm in Cedar Rapids, actively practicing until mid-May 2016.

Ed was active in his chosen profession. He was a member of the Linn County Bar Association, chairing the Continuing Legal Education Committee from 1988 to 1997. He was a member and especially involved with the Iowa State Bar Association, where he served as chairman, Litigation Section Council, 2000 to 2001 and 2008 to 2014; chairman of Membership Services and Long Range Planning Committee; member of section council, 1999; and chair of the Professionalism Committee from 1994 to 1998. He was designated a Fellow by the Iowa State Bar Association.

Additionally, he was a proud member of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. A number of years ago, he also was honored to be named a Fellow in the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. He also was a member of American Board of Trial Advocates, American Bar Association and Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He was a member of Cedar Rapids Country Club.

He loved life, his family, his friends and his profession.

Edward Blando is survived by his loving wife of nearly 30 years, Catherine; his children: sons Bradley Blando of Portland, Ore., and LTC Craig Blando; and daughter Rebecca Blando, and her daughter, his beloved granddaughter, Lauren Blando of West Des Moines. He also is survived by his sister, Katherine Ellingson, and his brother, Joseph (Marie) Blando, both of Aberdeen, S.D. He is survived by 12 nieces and nephews, all of whom had special affection for their Uncle Ed.

Edward was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Blando and Eva Ann Blando Losacker and her husband, Warren; brothers and their wives, Leo (Velma) Blando and Delbert (Vernice) Blando; and a brother-in-law, Richard Ellingson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Edward's name may be made to Hall-Perrine Cancer Center or Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids.

Services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories by Cedar Memorial Certified Celebrant Julie Freese. Inurnment will be private at Cedar Memorial Park Mausoleum. A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.