Mass of Christian Burial for Anthony “Tony” Blankenau age 87 of Dodge, NE will be held on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dodge, NE. A luncheon will follow in the church parish hall. Interment with military honors will be in the Omaha National Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and will continue on Monday one hour prior to the service, both at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. There will be a public rosary recited on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Minnick Funeral Chapel in Dodge is handling the arrangements for the family.

Tony passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at the St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, NE.

Anthony John Blankenau was born on August 1, 1929 in Dodge, NE to Herman and Christina (Lienen) Blankenau.
Tony lived in Dodge his entire life except for the 2 years in the military service. He was a member of St. Joseph/St. Wenceslas Catholic Church. He graduated from Dodge Public High School. He worked for Vlach Grocery Store starting at the age of 12. He also ran the projectors at the Dodge Theater before purchasing it in 1950. (It burned down in 1957.)

Tony served in the Army from 1950-51. He was in heavy combat in Korea for a year.
He married Elaine Ruskamp on Feb. 26, 1957. They planned to celebrate their 60th anniversary this past weekend. His postal career started in 1961 as clerk in the Dodge Post Office. He later served as a rural carrier and as the Postmaster, retiring on Dec. 31, 1989. After retirement, he did crown and bridge dental work. Hunting and fishing were hobbies he enjoyed from childhood. Later, woodworking became his passion. He loved the challenge of fixing things and designing his own pieces.

He was elected to the town board for 22 years and served as Chairman of the Board. He was a member and past commander of the American Legion Post 122 and was the Dodge County American Legion Commander. He was secretary for the Dodge City Baseball Team for many years and past member of the Dodge Volunteer Firemen. He taught Hunter Safety Classes for 22 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Johnny Blankenau, Richard Blankenau, William and wife Rita Blankenau, and sister-in-law Alice Blankenau.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, 7 children: Judy (Bill) Mueller of Raymond, NE, Don (Gail) Blankenau, of Lincoln, Mary (David) Harris of Snowmass Village, CO, Steven Blankenau of Albuquerque, NM, Theresa Blankenau of Denver, CO, Gerald (Bridget) Blankenau of Omaha, and James (Jody) Blankenau of Salt Lake City, UT. He had 11 grandchildren, Grace Mueller, Alek, Philip and Lauren Blankenau, Mallory and Jaclyn Harris, Merritt Blankenau, Reese and Regan Blankenau, and Hans and Christoph Blankenau. He also is survived by brothers Edmund (Britta), Dr. Herman, Frank (Darlene), and a sister-in-law, Laurine Blankenau and many nieces and nephews.

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