Louis Blazek was born to Emil and Mary (Petrik) Blazek on April 4, 1914 on a farm northeast of Marty. He attended country school through the eighth grade. On November 25, 1940, he and a large group of men from southeast South Dakota were activated into Federal Service and served to the end of WWII on September 2, 1945. This group of men belonged to E Battery, 2nd Battalion, 147 Field Artillery. They served in the Pacific in the Philippines and Australia. There is a plaque honoring these men in Riverside Park in Yankton. Louis was a member of the Wagner American Legion and the VFW.

Louis was a Mess Sergeant who would make kolaches for breakfast on Sunday mornings. One Sunday morning the air raid sirens went off, warning all the men in camp to take cover. One of the officers approached Louis and asked if he would go back to the kitchen and finish making the kolaches because all the men looked forward to having them on Sundays. The officer said that he would stand guard there in the kitchen while Louie baked. The men had their kolaches that morning.

Vlasta (Nedved) Blazek was born to John and Christina (Kubal) Nedved on August 25, 1918 on the family homestead ten miles south of Wagner. She attended Big Tobacco School in Ree Township and then went on to graduate from Wagner High School. During and after high school she did housekeeping, taking care of children, and worked in the Petit Café.

Louis and Vlasta were married at the Charles Mix county court house on January 2, 1946. They had two daughters bless their union, Linda and Lois. With the help of her parents, they bought a farm three miles south of Wagner where the family lived until Louis passed away on March 27, 1970. After Louis’ death, Vlasta moved into Wagner where she worked at Stedronsky Bros. Hardware for a couple of years and then at the Wagner Community School lunchroom until she retired. She did volunteer work and was active in several organizations including the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, American Legion Auxiliary, Rebecca Lodge, Shriners Auxiliary, and AARP. Vlasta passed away on July 7, 2010 after a short battle with cancer.

The Memorial flags were purchased in memory of Louis and Vlasta by their daughters and spouses: Jay and Linda Youngbluth, Wagner and Les and Lois Sherwood, White River; Grandchildren: Steve and LaRae (Youngbluth) Rogers, Delano, MN, Justin Youngbluth, Crystal, MN, and Lisa Sherwood, White River; and Great-Grandchildren Jonathan and Kimberly Rogers, Delano, MN.

The memorial flags fly daily at the Memorial site, south of the city park. Anyone interested in adding a family member who is a qaulified veteran please contact 384-5363 or 491-2844. We appreciate the Blazek family for supporting and donating the Memorial Flags.

Sincerely, The Armed Forces Memorial Board