Sgt. Darren M. Blazer

Army Sergeant Darren M. Blazer, 23 stationed in Germany formerly of Devils Lake, ND died unexpectedly in Austria on Tuesday, November 16, 2010. Funeral Services for Darren will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicla will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, November 29th, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Darren will be Members of the Military Funeral Honors Team. Honorary Bearers will be the soldiers of the 159th Aviation Regiment and all of Darren’s many dear friends. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist. Darren Michael Blazer, the loving son of Dean and Allison (Johnson) Blazer was born on September 3, 1987 at Devils Lake, ND where he was raised. Darren was a baptized and confirmed member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. He was educated in Devils Lake attending Minnie H Elementary School, Central Middle School and graduated from Devils Lake High School with the class of 2006. While in school, Darren participated in ROTC and discovered his artistic talents which he expounded upon throughout the years creating several beautiful paintings and drawings. Darren enlisted in the United States Army at age 18 and began his service to his country at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in Basic Training. He then did his AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. Darren was then stationed overseas at Illesheim, Germany with Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 159th AVR. The duties of the 159th AVR involved the mechanical/pneudraulics of the Apache Helicopter. Sgt. Blazer was also deployed to Iraq for 13 months, returning to Germany in August of 2009. Darren was united in marriage to Denise Heinrich on April 23, 2009 at Devils Lake. After their marriage they made their home on the base in Illesheim. Awards received by Darren in service to his country included: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Aviation Badge and the Driver/Mechanic Badge. Darren loved to travel and loved sight-seeing. The Army had given him that chance for adventure. He had a very profound interest in castles, their history and also exploring them. He also was so thrilled to have had the opportunity to visit the Ancient City of Ur. How do we remember Darren; fun-loving, humorous, full of energy and so proud to serve his country and his fellow man. Darren is survived by his wife, Denise; his loving parents, Dean and Allison Blazer of Devils Lake; mother-in-law, Christine Heinrich of Germany and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Loren and Marilyn Blazer and Ted and Alice Johnson and his aunt, Valerie Blazer.