A graveside service for Blaine Henry Baesler will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17th, at Lakewood Cemetery in Lake City. Blaine, 94, a longtime resident of Nob Hill, San Francisco, California, passed away on January 4, 2015.

Blaine was born on December 21, 1920 in Lake City to Henry W. Baesler and Bertha M. Brinkman Baesler. He attended Winona State Teachers College before entering the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1941 and becoming a Fighter Pilot in November 1941. He served WWII tours of duty in Guadalcanal and aboard CVE-107 Escort Aircraft Carrier as Commanding Officer of the Fighter Squadron, through 1945. In July of 1943 he married Melanie Shanks in Sydney, Australia. They had four children. She preceded him in death in 1971 in Australia.

After WWII Blaine began a 46 year career in the flexible packaging business and lived in San Francisco. In 1971 he married Josephine Wiebe. Josephine and her twin sister Rozzalynd have been well known in San Francisco as the owners of Twins Armoire, a fashion boutique at 860 California Street on Nob Hill.

Blaine will be particularly remembered among friends for his sharp wit, and lifelong fascination with airplanes, Mercedes Benz cars, major league baseball, NASCAR, Formula 1 and fishing in Alaska. Blaine had a booming voice, a warm smile and a hearty laugh. He had endless curiosity, asked probing questions and was a lifelong learner. He inspired those around him with his enthusiasm for life and was vibrant and active until the end.

With many friends and family members, Blaine drove across the United States 42 times. Though his best friend, Dr. Ed Liska joined him most often, so also did Jack Horner, Jim Roberto, Vincent Mullins, Ed Zelke, Roland Biancalana, Andy Berkey, Dr. Jolene Kriett and others.

Blaine is survived by his wife, Josephine Baesler; his sister-in-law, Rozzalynd Wiebe; son, Derek Baesler of Seattle, Washington; daughter, Melanie Winchester of Sarasota, Florida; daughter, and son-in-law, Diana and Bill Gladden of Savanah, Georgia; daughter-in-law, Sandy Baesler of Sarasota, Florida; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents, and son, Boots Baesler of Sarasota, Florida.

For the wonderful care he received in his last months, the family especially thanks Ann Liska, Dr. Jolene Kriett, and Sandy Baesler. In lieu of flowers and remembrances the family suggests a donation to: The Marines Memorial Club, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 or The Greater Lake City Community Foundation, PO Box 86, Lake City, MN 55041.