Surnames: Blazek, Proctor, Klema

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 04/26/1945

Blazek, Nellie (10 NOV 1888 - 20 APR 1945)

Ed Blazek, 60, residing in the town of Cleveland, Taylor Co., Wis., near Hannibal, killed his wife, then took his own life at their farm home on Friday afternoon, April 20th, 1945. He was apparently despondent because of poor health.

Blazek telephone the operator at Hannibal and asked her to send the constable, Ronald Johnson, to his home at once. When Johnson arrived he found Mrs. Blazek dead on the bed, a bullet from a .38 caliber revolver in her head and Blazek dying from a wound made by a 30-30 rifle. The man had apparently shot his wife while she lay sleeping and used the rifle on himself.

The Blazeks had recently sold their property and planned to move to Milwaukee but had been unable to find living quarters there.

Blazek left a note which said, "I did the shooting myself". He also left two checks representing the proceeds of his farm auction, for his sons, Arthur of Milwaukee and Lavern of Gilman.

The goodies were brought to the Thorp Funeral Home after examination by Dr. Cramp of Gilman and county authorities and lay in state until the time of the funeral.

Mrs. Blazek, whose maiden name was Nellie Proctor, was born in Missouri on Nov. 10, 1888, having reached the age of 56 years, 5 months and 10 days.

Edward Blazek was born in Prairie du Chien, Wis., on July 5, 1884. He has been in poor health recently.

Ed Blazek and Nellie Mae Proctor were married Mar. 27, 1907 in Detroit, Mich. They resided at Eastman, Wis., Wessington Springs, S.D. and Detroit, for some time before coming to Hannibal in 1921.

Surviving them are two children, Lavern of Hannibal and Arthur of Milwaukee; and three grandchildren, James and Edward of Hannibal and Diane of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Blazek is also survived by two brothers, John of Onalaska, Wis., and George of Wauzeka, Wis., and one sister, Mrs. Pete Klema of Eastman, Wis.

Services for the deceased couple were held at the Presbyterian Church at Hannibal at 2:00 o’clock Monday, April 23rd, Rev. Fisher officiating, and burial taking place in the Hannibal cemetery. Pallbearers were, Peter Roeder, Matt Welte, Geo. White, Al Usak, Walter Haraenstein, Clarence Schwark, E. Henke, W. Nudgett, Wm. Drinkwater, Ray Warner, C. Harp and Jerome Dodge.