Dr. Karl J. Blessinger, age 49, of Huron, died Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. A Celebration of his life was held at 6:30 PM Tuesday, November 8th, at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the Beadle County Humane Society, the Jan Manolis Family Safe Center, Huron Regional Medical Center Foundation Fund for the Future Program, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Born March 26, 1967, the son of Charles and Helen (Anderson) Blessinger, Karl attended Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, Indiana, completed his B.S. at Wabash College and earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Karl had practiced pathology in Huron since moving to Huron in 1998 and was also currently serving as Medical Director of both the Huron Regional Medical Center Laboratory and Blood Bank. Karl served for many years on various medical staff committees, including the Medical Executive, Surgery, Education, Bylaws and Transfusion Committees. He was also the Health & Safety medical staff representative for many years and represented the HRMC Board of Directors on the Home Care Advisory Board. A former Chief of the Medical Staff, since 2013 he had been serving as the Chairman of the HRMC Board of Directors. Karl had also served as the AMA representative for the SD State Medical Association Young Physician Section, as the SD delegate of the College of American Pathologists and on the District 5 Council of the SD State Medical Association.
The Huron Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau awarded the 2009-2010 Distinguished Civic Service Award to Karl in recognition of his continuous and outstanding service to the community and his clear commitment to make a difference in the Huron community. A broad range of organizations in Huron were beneficiaries of his time and resources. He was a founding director of and a contributor to the Huron Community Foundation in 2004 and was actively involved in its fundraising activities. He was currently serving as vice-president of the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau and was a past president and former board member of the HRMC Foundation and the Eye Openers Lions Club. Also benefitting from his support and active involvement were the United Way, the Salvation Army, the Jan Manolis Family Violence Center, the Dakotaland Museum and Pyle House Museum and the Beadle County Humane Society. His support of young people in the community led him to sponsor a youth bowling team, purchase uniforms for junior football, contribute to local and state rodeo programs and sponsor the Trout Catch at the State Fair, in addition to many other activities.
Karl is survived by his spouse, Jeffery Van Winkle of Huron; his mother, Helen Blessinger of Evansville, IN; his sisters, Donna (Steve) Pitts of Milan, IN and Ann Blessinger of Houston, TX; his nephew, Russell Pitts; and his niece, Sarah Pitts.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Blessinger; his grandparents, Bernard and Mary (Schick) Blessinger and Homer and Gertrude (Criss) Anderson; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Sheryl and Rick Van Winkle; and his brother-in-law, Scott Van Winkle.