Joe Blanco Sr born in 1923 in Craig CA to Heraldo Blanco and Andrea Rojas Blanco. In 1930 they migrated to Nebraska as his dad passed away when he was between ages 6 and 7. His Mother had 9 kids. They lived on the farm and worked as crop workers on the farm. They did hard labor, harvesting all done by hand, part of what made him so tough, hang tuff as they called him. He started going to school at about 7 years old and then at, 10 his parents pulled him out to work in the fields. In 1942 he was drafted and served ETO in 1943-45. After only 6 months of training he was sent overseas. In 1943 he wound up in Great Plains, MN and was trained for invasion of France for 6 months then shipped out to Europe and ended up in England doing more training for invasion of France.
When the invasion started he served pushing the enemies back until June of 1944 and liberated all of France and before that they kept pushing the enemy back to Ryan River into Germany. He fought on the beaches of Normandy during this time as well. Joe served in the United States Army for 4 years as a Military Police. Joe was discharged on the anniversary of WWII, December 7, 1945, to come home to the states because they defeated Germany-, he returned to Fort Leavenworth Kansas.
He was awarded an ETO Ribbon, won 5 major battle stars, a Defense Ribbon, US Service Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Ribbon for Occupation and an Enemy Clip for Germany Occupation with a Germany Clip
He was head of household at 19 where Joe supported his mother and siblings.
During WWII he would send money when he wrote home to help provide for school for the children, and sent allowance home. Then Joe worked in construction, the sugar factory, and working for Lockwood's too. He then started roofing, he roofed for Vaughn Peters until Vaughn passed away then he worked for Weathercraft. After roofing for many many years, he retired in his 80s and he really felt good all through his career working. When he retired everything caught up to him, especially his PTSD. Joe couldn't get used to not working. These are Mr. Joe Blanco's words.
He led a beautiful wonder filled life in 99 years and has many loving children and lived a loving life with his wife Rose. He was very proud of his kids and grandkids and great grandkids. He loved his sports and taught himself to read and read the Star Herald Newspaper daily. He loved his Las Vegas Raiders as well.
He is survived by his wife Rosemarie, son Virgil Smyres (Michele Litke) daughter Jessica (Travis) Turner, daughter Tonia (Mark) Buss, daughter Sandy Blanco-Anderson (Greg), Debora Blanco, Rita Blanco, Micheal Joseph (Crystal) Vaughn, Kimberly (Bill) Snyder, Lupe (Keith) Saathoff, 25 grandkids, 28 great grandkids and 5 great great grandkids and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by siblings Jerry Blanco, Cruz Blanco, Honda Deollas, Salome Blanco, Merced Blanco, Lupe Blanco. Children Richard Blanco, Jolene K Blanco, Joe Blanco Jr.
Rosary for Joe Blanco will be Thursday, May 11 at 7:00pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chadron, NE. Memorial services will be Friday, May 12 at 10:00am St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chadron, NE.