Calvin Sidney Blatter

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Calvin Sidney Blatter, 97, left his earthly family to join his Heavenly family on Thursday, January 14, 2021.  A Family Graveside Service will be held at the Kuper Cemetery in Chinook on Tuesday, January 19th at 1:00 PM.

Calvin, “Cal”, was born on the 10th of October 1923 to William L. and Olga Blatter in Ammon, Idaho.  He was the middle child of nine children.  The family moved to Chinook, Montana in 1929, living on a farm.  In 1939 Cal decided not to finish his senior year of high school as his father suffered a heart attack and Cal became the farm operator.  Cal completed his senior year and graduated in 1942.  He joined the U.S. Army on 1 April 1943 and was assigned to an ordinance company at Fort Lewis, Washington.  Later on Cal joined the elite Airborne Special Forces and served a long and honorable military career acquiring credit for 35 years and 9 months.  While in the Special Forces, he made 81 parachute jumps and made his last jump on 25 August 1979 at the age of 55.  Cal retired at the age of 60 as an E-9.

After returning home from serving in the Army in Germany during WWII, Cal met and married Betty Jean Riley on 6 April 1947.  During his marriage two children were born, Kathleen and Douglas.  He was employed as a mechanic for the Ford Garage in Chinook and later went to work for the Montana State Highway Department, retiring in 1984.  Betty passed on 27 May 2012 after 65 years of marriage.  He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served the church well.  He will always be known as “Rambo” to church members who accompanied him on many church outings. 

Cal was preceded in death by his parents; eight siblings and wife, Betty.  Survivors include his daughter, Kathleen (Richard) Huston of Great Falls and Douglas (Marlene) Blatter of Canada; five grandchildren, Jared, Cole and Alex (Doug’s) and Brian and Richard “Dale” (Kathleen’s); great-grandchildren, Britny, Baylie, Brandon and Brady (Brian’s) and Tyler, Ryan and Heather (Dale’s).

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