The Blair siblings, circa 1930. L-R: Herbert; William; —; Erwin.  Photo courtesy of Jack Kraft.	Herbert George Blair, circa 1942.

In 1930 Herbert lived with his parents at 505 3rd Street, S.W., Wadena, Wadena County, Minnesota. He was attending school.

In 1935 he lived with his mother in Wadena.

In 1940 he lived with his mother at 406 Second Street, Wadena, Wadena County, Minnesota. His occupation was given as school work for the N.Y.A. project. He was attending school.

Herbert's social security card was issued in Missouri.

Herbert served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, attaining the rank of Gunner's Mate 3rd Class. He joined the military August 26, 1942, and was discharged on December 26, 1946.

He worked as a carpenter.

Herbert married (first), September 10, 1947 in the American Consulate Building, Yokohama, Japan, Velda Maire Kell. She was born November 18, 1920 in Pawnee Rock, Barton County, Kansas, the daughter of Leonard John Kell and Hazel Edna (Naim) Kell. Her Social Security card was issued in Kansas. It was apparently Velda’s second marriage, her first having been to — Smith, with whom she had a child. Their children, including Velda’s from her first marriage, were as follows.

Children:

1. — Smith.
2. — Blair.

Herbert married (second), April 19, 1952 in —, Wadena County, Minnesota, Beulah May Sahr. She was born Beulah May Pederson May 1, 1927 in Wadena, Wadena County, Minnesota, the daughter of Gilbert Johan Pederson and Anna Dora (Dahlvang) Pederson. She graduated from Sebeka High School. She had married, (first), November 8, 1945 in —, Wadena County, Minnsota, Arnold Grant Sahr. Arnold was born March 19, 1925 in —, Freeborn County, Minnesota, Leonard G— Sahr and Margaret (Donahoe) Sahr. Herbert and Beulah's children, including hers from before her marriage, were as follows:

Children:

1. — —.
2. — Sahr.
3. — Blair.

Herbert married (third), February 15, 1959 in Williston, Williams County, North Dakota, Harriet June Nelson. She was born June 28, 1929 in Culbertson, Roosevelt County, Montana, the daughter of Walter Nelson and Nina Marie (Nelsen) Nelson. She was raised and educated in Culbertson, graduating from Culbertson High School in 1947, afterwards attending college and nursing school. She remained in nursing throughout her life, working in numerous hospitals and nursing homes in Montana. Her social security card was issued in Montana. Harriet had married (first), May –, 1953, Reuben Emmanuel Johnson. He was born February 12, 1930 in Westby, Sheridan County, Montana, the son of Peter Johnson and Meta (Freund) Johnson. Reuben Johnson died of kidney disease May 10, 1957 in —. Harriet had two children from her first marriage, and she and Herbert had two children together, as follows.

Children:

1. — Johnson.
2. — Johnson.
3. — Blair.
4. — Blair.

Herbert died October 27, 1978, aged 56, in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. His last social security benefit was received in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. He was buried November 2, 1978 in Wadena, Wadena County, Minnesota. His grave bears a marker with the following inscription:

Photo courtesy of Jack Kraft.

Harriet retired from nursing in 1989. She spent her retirement enjoying her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading and listening to music, and was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Missoula.

Harriet J. Blair’s last residence was Missoula, Missoula County, Montana 59801. She died Monday, April 7, 2003, aged 73, at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Her last benefit was received in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana 59801. She was survived by a son and stepson, two daughters, a brother, twelve grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003 at Garden City Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 11, 2003 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with burial following at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. A reception followed the committal services at the church. Harriet’s grave bears a marker with the following inscription:

Photo courtesy of Jack Kraft.

Appendix 1.

Velda Kell Blair was an alumna of Fort Hays State Teachers College in Hays, Kansas and Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan where her brother Bill L. Kell was a member of the Counseling Center faculty. After her marriage to Herbert, Velda began a twenty-five year career as a junior high school teacher in 1955, working successively in Great Bend, Kansas, Greenville, Michigan, Tucson, Arizona and the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District in San Diego, California, from which she retired in 1980. She was held in high regard by her students and colleagues for her fairness and consideration, enthusiasm for learning and living, and her indomitable optimism and humor. By her family and friends she was cherished for her full-hearted acceptance of others and whatever life dealt and for her instinctual kindness and integrity.

In retirement she belonged to the Silvergate Riding Club and the Retired Teachers Association.

Velda K. Blair’s last residence was San Diego, San Diego County, California 92104. She died of complications from pneumonia Tuesday, January 18, 2000 in San Diego, San Diego County, California. There were no formal services locally, though memorial flowers were directed to North Park Community Church. Cremation was through Featheringill Mortuary, San Diego, directed by Beckwith Mortuary, with subsequent services in Pawnee Rock, Barton County, Kansas and burial in Pawnee Rock Cemetery. Her grave bears a marker with the following inscription:

Photo from findagrave.com.

Appendix 2.

After her divorce from Herbert, Beulah Blair married (third), — –, 195– in —, Howard Rudolph Daluge. He was born April 24, 1922 in —, the son of — Daluge and — (—) Daluge. They had two children.

In 1956 Howard and Beulah lived in a house at 4040 N 6th, Minneapolis. Howard’s occupation was given as driver, Black Top Service.

In 1959 Howard and Beulah lived in a house at 2123 Lyndale Avenue N, Minneapolis. Howard’s occupation was given as driver, M&S Auto Parts.

The Daluges divorced between 1959 and 1962. Howard Daluge died December 7, 1967. Burial was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin county, Minnesota.

Beulah married (fourth), March 3, 1962 in —, Hennepin County, Minnesota, — Freeman. He was born about 1922 in —, the son of — Freeman and — (—) Freeman.

The Freemans later divorced.

Beulah married (fifth), — –, 19– in —, — Mattie. He was born — –, 19– in —, the son of — Mattie and — (—) Mattie.

The Matties later divorced.

Beulah married (sixth), December 26, 1970 in —, Wadena County, Minnesota, — Hunke⁴, first cousin to her second husband Herbert Blair. He was born — –, 19– in —, the son of William John Hunke³ and Martha Selene (Pajari) Hunke.

The Hunkes' most recent known address is 404a RR 4 Box, Park Rapids, MN, 56470.

Beulah M. Hunke died Tuesday, December 18, 2007, aged 80, at St. Joseph’s Area Health Services in Park Rapids. Burial was at West Lyons Cemetery, Wadena County, Minnesota. Beulah’s grave bears a marker with the following inscription:

Photo from findagrave.com.