Steven Blass
A soldier from Estherville who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan earlier this month was was laid to rest Tuesday.
During the service, Staff Sargent Steven Blass was remembered as someone who loved the Army and loved flying Blackhawk helicopters.
His commanding officer said Blass was a model soldier, leader and friend who was devoted to his family. After the funeral, thousands of flag-waving Estherville area residents lined the route of the funeral procession to pay their final respects to Blass.
Milford area residents also turned out to show their support for Blass as the funeral procession passed through Milford on its way to North Lawn Cemetery in Spencer where Blass was laid to rest. Blass was one of five soldiers who died when their Blackhawk helicopter crash on March 11th outside Kandahar City.
He is survived by his wife Tricia and son Hayden along with his parents Randy and Carol Blass and brother Matthew.
By Ed Funston, KILR, Estherville