Gerald LaBlanc
January 16, 2019
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Service Details
Gerald LaBlanc, 88, of Des Moines, son of Arthur and Esther LaBlanc, will have visitation from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday, January 21, 2019 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Private burial will take place in Glendale Cemetery. He leaves behind nephews, Dan and Max LaBlanc; several great nieces and nephews; and a cousin, Ione Vasquez. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. While living in Newton, Iowa he was a member of the city council. Gerald Arthur LaBlanc was a longtime member of the Iowa National Guard, 34th Inf. Division. In 1986 he was Des Moines Rotary Teacher of the year. LaBlanc received his Master’s Degree from Drake University.
Mr. LaBlanc was active in civic affairs in Des Moines. He was instrumental in: getting a park dedicated to former Mayor Pete Crivaro; in restoring the Iowa Civil War Monument; Soldiers and Sailors Monument; and the Spanish-American War Memorial on Iowa’s Capitol Hill. He was also instrumental in getting the Des Moines City flag, the first in the nation Korean War Memorial on the capitol grounds and he restored the Gold Star Memorial on East University.
“Without your persistent efforts in restoring the Soldiers and Sailors Monument along with several other state monuments on the capitol grounds this would have never happened.” - Governor Chester J. Culver, October 19, 2010.
“I want to thank you for all you do to care for grave markers for veterans. Your work in preserving veteran markers helps keep alive and honors those who have so nobly served our country.” – Senator, Charles E. Grassley, July 21, 2011.
Both Governors Thomas Vilsack and Chester Culver awarded him for his work with monuments on Capitol Hill.
In later years LaBlanc was tour director of Woodland Cemetery for 22 years and held fundraisers to restore Woodland Cemetery. LaBlanc erected a historic arch over the entrance to Woodland Cemetery at the cost of $70,000.
Memorial Contributions may be directed to VVV (Valley View Village) Employee Assistance Fund c/o Stephanie Proper, 2555 Guthrie Avenue Building C, Des Moines, IA 50317 or the Woodland Cemetery Restoration Fund c/o Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com
Roger Owens
01/22/2019
Best teacher ever, 6th Grade Social Studies, Emerson Hough elementary, Newton, Iowa. A real patriot and great leader.
Scott Myers
01/22/2019
Never forgot about you my friend! You were a great teacher. Thanks for being good to all of us Harding students. Rest In Peace!!!
callanan student
01/21/2019
RIP spanky lablanc! remembered for his kindness, wonderful sense of humor, and genuine interest in his students, as well as for his fantastic teaching skills. i did not know about this side of his life, but am not surprised to learn of all he contributed to the city and to our veterans. i will always remember him as the cool guy we all thought he was.
Luann Anderson Rowat
01/21/2019
Mr. LaBlanc was my teacher in Jr. High. Many years later when I saw him at Valley View Village, he still remembered me! Love and blessings to your family.
Max Knauer
01/21/2019
Truly a pleasure, as a fellow-volunteer member of the Des Moines Citizens Cemetery Advisory Committee, to have both worked with and learned from this dedicated historian and preservationist.
Laura Brown
01/21/2019
I came to know Gerald while working at Valley View Village. He was one of the kindest and nicest people I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He was also very generous in so many ways. Heaven truly gained a wonderful man the day Gerald left us. My condolences to his family.
Janet E. Markley
01/20/2019
Thank you Mr. LeBlanc for your tireless efforts on behalf of Veterans, history, & good citizenship.
A DAR friend, Janet Markley
Beth Wilson
01/20/2019
I learned a lot about my city while touring Woodland Cemetery with Mr. LaBlanc. His passion was infectious. What a treasure Des Moines has lost. Thank you, Gerald!
Judy Burns
01/19/2019
I met Gerald as a young teacher at Callanan in 1973. I sometimes called him by the affectionate nickname given to him by students, Spanky. We worked together regularly and teased one another continually.
On Earth Day sometime in the 70's, he organized student squadrons to clean Woodland Cemetery. I'll never forget that particular Earth Day. I remember Gerald with great fondness!
Laura Kozin
01/19/2019
Mr. LaBlancs energy and zeal made him a great model for community service. His willingness to share what hed learned was appreciated. His friendliness and encouragement will be remembered.
Norman Miller
01/18/2019
A really great man. who I will remember always.
Mike Rowley
01/18/2019
A truly inspiring man of action.
Rhonda
01/17/2019
RIP Mr. LaBlanc.....you were my teacher at Central Junior High in Newton. I always admired your constant efforts regarding restoring the stones at the cemetery.