Sun Prairie - Gregory D. Blaska, age 77, died on Thursday, March 6, 2003, at Meriter Hospital in Madison from complications of cancer. 
    He was born on May 26, 1925, in the town of Sun Prairie and was the son of John and Rose (Schuster) Blaska. 
    He was married on September 11, 1948, to Laura Klein of Waunakee.  With his wife Laura they raised four children; John (Debra) of Marshall, Jeffery (Margaret) of Deforest, Margaret (Jeff) Howe of Rochester, N.Y. and Barry of Madison; 11 grandchildren, Rebecca (Aric) Antil, Jessica, John, Laura Lynn, Gregory, Emily, Katie, Benjamin, Mallory, Melissa, Joseph; two great-grandchildren, Alex and Ashton; three sisters, Lila LaBarro of Sun Prairie, Burdette Blaska of Madison, and Elaine Wood of McFarland; his in-laws, Lucille (Paul) Acker of Middleton, Margaret (Joseph) Meier of Cross Plains, Virginia Buhler of DeForest, Dorothy Klein of Waunakee.  

    He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Cyril, Jerome, John; his sisters, Juanita Blaska and Evelyn Owens. 
    Throughout his life, Greg's leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in a wide array of civic and agricultural organizations, he was an active member of Sacred Hearts Catholic Church and served on the committee for the school's endowment fund. 
    He was presently serving as State Court Trustee for the Catholic Order of Foresters.  He was a charter member of the Sun Prairie Rotary Club and designated a Paul Harris Fellow in 1982. 
    He was elected to the Sun Prairie School Board and served as president for a period of time.  He also served on the board of directors for Blue Cross Blue Shield. 
    Greg worked tirelessly to improve the effectiveness of farm cooperatives, both locally and nationally.  Greg was affiliated with Dairyland Co-op, Pure Milk Association, AMPI, Morning Glory Dairy, and Foremost Farms.  He served as director to the National Milk Producers organization. 
    His pride and joy was serving as chairman of the World Dairy Expo for 31 years. 
    The family farm estate founded in 1887 by Johanne Blaska is the place where Greg began his foray into dairy farming.  After purchasing the estate in 1948, he and his family have continued to develop the dairy and agricultural operation and most recently the construction of The Oaks Golf Course.

    Greg has also carried on the position of Pioneer Seed Corn representative, a side interest started by his father in 1941. 
    Greg was given honorary recognition by the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 1979 and was named Master Agriculturalist in 1982. 
    Most recently Greg was honored as World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year. 
    In his retirement, Greg loved playing cards.  He developed an interest in the game of golf which he enjoyed playing with his family and friends. 
    A funeral mass will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2003, at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, 227 Columbus Street in Sun Prairie with Monsignor Duane Moellenberndt presiding. 
    A gathering will follow in the church after the Mass.  Burial will be at Sacred Hearts Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2003, at the church. 
    The family suggests that in lieu of plants and flowers memorials can be made to Sacred Hearts Endowment Fund or contributions can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Support Group. 
    Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, Sun Prairie, WI  (608) 837-5400

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