Joseph E. Blashka aka “Mr. Whoopee”, age 77 of Manitowoc, WI passed away Saturday, November 26, 2016 with loved ones at his side.

Joseph was born September 12, 1939 in Manitowoc, son of the late Peter and Julia (Rohl) Blashka. At a young age due to hardships at home he and a younger brother (Pete) were removed and sent to St Joseph’s Orphanage in Green Bay, WI. Joe was then transferred out to Nebraska to Father Flanagan’s Boys Town with the diagnosis of Scoliosis and was happily reunited in his teens with his brother Pete at the foster home of Helen and Wilber Woeflel near Manitowoc. He worked at various places and was injured in a factory accident at Gray Iron Foundry and lost a limb. He met and fell in love with Jean A. Bashaw (Blahnik) and on March 24, 1973 they were married. They had 40 wonderfully chaotic years together until her passing August 27, 2013.

Little known to most Joseph was a first cousin to Jeans first husband, so the family remained the same but titles were changed, as in cousins becoming aunts and uncles. There was never a dull moment at family picnics and get togethers as well as the parties and gatherings at their Custerdale home and “bull” sessions in the garage. Dad could spin tales with the best of them. Dad was also known as “Mr. Fix It” and “The Taxi”, as he could fix just about anything that was broke from all the neighbor kids bikes to the cars, motorcycles and mowers their parents had. He would also give anyone a ride or pick them up day or night to make sure they got home safe. He loved to build trikes out of VW engines and ride them to Iola and Hurley with his fellow Brother’s of the Third Wheel (BTW). He got into leatherwork and produced beautiful purses, key chains, belts, chaps and saddle bags as well as repaired leather jackets and coats. He was always putting a new zipper onto something. This allowed him to watch us kids at home and we also helped with lacing of the items he lovingly made. The neighborhood was wonderful to grow up in and many of the families and friends are still there today.

Survivors include his children: Christine (Timothy) Beilfuss, Long Lake, WI and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Terry (Danny) Seal of Manitowoc, WI and their children and grandchildren, Kit (Teresa) Bashaw, Manitowoc, WI and their children and grandchildren as well as the surviving children and grandchildren of his deceased daughter Cassandra and husband Alan Busse. He is also survived by younger siblings who include Pete (Nancy) Blashka and their family, twins Julie (Dean, deceased) Bremseth Blashka and their family, and Julian, Billy and Dale. There is countless other cherished family members as well as wonderful friends that are too numerous to mention that have survived him as well. Know that you are all in our hearts for the love and friendship you had bestowed on Dad and Mom throughout the years and there are many fond memories to look back on.

Cremation has taken place at All-Care Cremation Center, Manitowoc and services for Joseph will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be Deacon Alan Boeldt. Burial of Joseph’s cremated remains will be held at a later date.
 

The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m.
 

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.pfefferfuneralhome.com