Bland

Lenneth Odie “L.O.” Bland, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Luling on May 2, 2017.

Lenneth was born on Nov. 21, 1932 in Haskell, Texas, to Odie Lee and Hazel Redwine Bland. He was the oldest living child of eight children. As a child, he moved with his family to Yoakum, Texas, and later graduated from Yoakum High School in 1950.

Immediately after graduation, Lenneth joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served as Sergeant during the Korean War. Upon his return from the war, he attended Victoria College in Victoria, Texas. He later met the love of his life, Marie “”Mae”” Lillian Werner of Shiner, Texas, and they were married in 1956. They made their home in Victoria while Lenneth worked at the Union Carbide Corp. (U.C.C.)-Seadrift Plant. While in Texas, Lenneth enjoyed hunting, fishing and shrimping on weekends, and even built a shrimp boat with a friend (much to Mae’s dismay).

He moved his family to Louisiana when he was transferred to the U.C.C.-Taft Plant in 1968 and retired in 1990. Following his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling and cruising. Lenneth was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Luling and was a recipient of the Order of St. Louis Medallion from the Archdiocese of New Orleans for his dedication to his Church. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #9933, Sons of Hermann Fraternal Lodge, V.F.W. Post #3750, Holy Family’s “Busy Bees” Senior Group and Union Carbide-Dow Chemical.

“The Ever Ready’s”” Retirement Group. He is survived by Mae, his loving wife of 60 years; daughter, Susan Pelc and her husband Matt; son, Russell Bland and his companion, Kelly Pohl; grandchildren, Ross Pelc, Alex Pelc, Payton Pelc, Tristan Bland and Trevin Osterman and he was also known as “PaPa” by Caitlin and Jacob Holder; brothers, Leon and Bob Bland; sister, Annalyn B. Karl along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

In addition to his parents, Lenneth is preceded in death by his brothers, Samuel Lee and Thomas M. Bland and sisters, Mary Jane Bland and Martha Bland Auten, brother-in-law Richard Karl, daughter-in-law, Audra Osterman Bland and a sister-in-law, Shirly Linder Bland. The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful caregivers of the Humana & Egan Home Health teams, St. Charles Parish Council on Aging, Hospice Compassus for the loving care and compassion given and to the Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Family Church for weekly communion.

Your love and outreach to Lenneth and our family will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, Masses are requested or donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital , P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or visit: www.stjude.org.