Ned Blodgett, 69, died Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Fargo, ND.

Ned Carol Blodgett was born July 26, 1936 in West Pawlet, VT, the youngest of 4 children of Clayton Edward and Lois Marie (Sweet) Blodgett. His childhood was spent in the Bennington/North Bennington, VT area. Ned graduated from high school in 1954 in North Bennington and worked in a machine shop and then a paper mill before joining the United States Air Force on April 5, 1955. He remained in the Air Force until January 1, 1976. His primary career field was working with aircraft (both fighters and bombers) and many different types of munitions and weapons. This included the preparation of the explosive devices, the aircraft and loading them on the aircraft.

During his Air Force career, Ned was assigned to many places throughout the world. These countries were Morocco, North Africa, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Viet Nam and Thailand. During his career, Ned was awarded numerous citations. These include the Air Force Commendation Medal for services while in Viet Nam under wartime conditions, The Outstanding Unit Award (with 4 different units), Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Ribbon, Good Conduct Service Ribbon (both Army and Air Force) and Longevity Service Ribbon. He was also awarded the Master Missileman Badge for his work with Air Force Air Launched Missiles.

Ned met Dorothy Ann Muzzy while stationed at Great Falls, MT, where she was working as a nurse at a local hospital. They were married May 25, 1957. They lived in Great Falls, MT, Plattsburgh, NY, Denver, CO, Clovis, NM, Clark Air Base, Philippines and Tucson, AZ.

After retiring from the service, Ned attended Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ, where he studied Auto Mechanics. In July 1976, the family moved to Thief River Falls, MN, where he worked as an auto mechanic. He became certified as a Master Automobile Technician by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). He then went on to college at Northland Community College in Thief River Falls and Bemidji State University, where he got a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, after which he worked as a teacher in Auto Mechanics in Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls and Plummer, MN. Ned retired from teaching in July 1998.

Ned was a member of United Methodist Church, Thief River Falls, MN, the Pennington County Historical Society, served as a board member at the Heritage Center and is an active member of American Legion Post 117 where he served on the Color Guard. He has held numerous offices including Post Commander. He is also a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the Non-Commisioned Officers Association.

He is survived by wife, Dorothy, Thief River Falls, MN; 3 children, Susan (John) Blodgett, Nancy J. (Warren) Fellman and Yvonne Blodgett, all of Thief River Falls, MN; 4 grandchildren, David (Brenda) Fellman, Christopher Fellman, Heather (Corey) Potucek and Brian Fellman; 2 great grandchildren, Dakota and Austin Fellman; a sister, Marie (Jerry) Legacy, Venice, FL; several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by parents, brother, Stanley and sister, Edith Sweet.