Obituary of Willard C. Blomquist

Reverend Dr. Willard C. Blomquist, 93, passed away December 5, 2017.

Rev. Dr. Willard C. Blomquist was born October 28, 1924, in Metropolitan, Michigan, the son of Arvid and Signe Blomquist. From the age of 12 he spent his summers working in the woods with his father.  He graduated from Augustana College and from Augustana Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.  In 1949 he married Virginia Olson in Cambridge, Illinois. She preceded him in death in 2012 after 63 years of marriage.  Pastor Blomquist was ordained into the ministry at the Washington National Cathedral in 1950. In 1980 he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity International University in Deerfield.  He served congregations in Bemidji, Minnesota, and Davenport, Iowa, before coming to Trinity United Lutheran Church in Waukegan to begin a ministry of 30 years. After his retirement he was named pastor emeritus.  He served on the board of directors at Augustana College. Locally he was very active in the former Waukegan Area Council of Churches and served as its president. He was a member of the committee that negotiated the purchase of the property that is now Bowen Park.  Through the years he served as vice-pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church during vacancies and since his retirement as its visitation pastor for more than 20 years.  Pastor Blomquist continued his ministry at Rolling Hills Manor in Zion, where he resided for the last four years of his life, performing baptisms, counseling, comforting, and praying with those in need until his death. He was grateful for the many kindnesses, visits and prayers he received from staff and friends during his stay at Rolling Hills. He had a tremendous impact on all those who knew him, and will be dearly missed.  

He is survived by his daughters, Anne Malecki of Waukegan, and Kathryn (James) MacNeil of Pinehurst, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Matthew (Julia) Santullano, Sophie Malecki, Eryn MacNeil, and John MacNeil; and three great grandchildren, Leia, Alexander and Adela Santullano.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, three infant children, his parents, a sister, Lorraine Morgan, and a brother, Donald Blomquist.

Visitation will be held at Congdon Funeral Home in Zion from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 15, and at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, at Trinity United Lutheran Church, 658 Grand Avenue in Waukegan. The funeral service will be held at Trinity United Lutheran Church on December 16 at 10 a.m. following the visitation, with Pastors Richard Grudt and Jeffrey Koth officiating. Burial will be at Highland Memorial Park in Libertyville.  Memorials may be made to Trinity United Lutheran Church or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3350 N. Delany Road, Waukegan, 60087.