Donald “Squirt” Lee Blanchard, 89 years, of the Wever and Denmark area, died Monday, January 19, 2026. He was born March 18, 1936, the son of Ralph and Edna (Lange) Blanchard. On August 28, 1955, he married Nancy Knustrom. He was a 1954 graduate of Denmark Academy. He farmed all his life, and did other odd jobs along with farming. Squirt was known for his jokes. He enjoyed playing cards. He could be found at the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids activities and sporting events. He was a member of the Denmark Congregational United Church of Christ, and a 50 year member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF).
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Blanchard, five children: Dean (Kathy) Blanchard of West Point, Iowa; Craig (Cathy) Blanchard of Charles City, Iowa; Jay (Sherry) Blanchard of Wever, Iowa; Cindy (Dwight) Barnes of Montrose, Iowa; Peggy (Pat) Steffensmeier of West Point; fourteen grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild with one on the way; numerous nieces and nephews. Other survivors include one sister, Roberta (Jack) Stout; one sister-in-law, Lois Blanchard, and two brothers-in-law, Jack Knustrom and Don (Karen) Knustrom. He was preceded in death by his parents, two siblings, Nettie Sorensen and Herbert “Doc” Blanchard; and one grandson, Neil Blanchard.
Services will be begin at 10:30 am Thursday, January 22, 2026 with an IOOF service, followed by a funeral service, officiated by Pastor Chad Savage, both at the Denmark Congregational United Church of Christ. Private burial will be at Claypoole Cemetery, Wever. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Denmark Congregational United Church of Christ, Denmark Ball Association, or the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Blanchard family and an online guest book may be found at
www.barrmemorialchapel.com.
