Elmore "Mo" Blain

MO Blain

Rev. Elmore "Mo" Blain, age 72, of Hermosa, SD, passed away Thursday, Feb. 16,  2012, at his home, after a brief battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Mo was born on July 26, 1939, in Mitchell, SD, to Harold Worth and Henrietta Anna (Anson) Blain. He grew up on the Blain family homestead in the sand hills of Nebraska. He attended country schools in the Middle Branch area, graduating from high school in O'Neill in 1956.

Mo graduated from Miltonvale Wesleyan College in 1961 with a bachelor of religion degree, where he married the love of his life, Phyllis J. Wessel in Mobridge, SD, in 1959.

He pastored many Wesleyan churches from 1961 through 2006, including: Atkinson, Avon, SD, Hamilton, MT, Rapid City, SD, Vale, SD, and Forsyth, MT. He also served as interim pastor at several churches in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.

Mo was bi-vocational in most of his pastoral appointments, which included mechanic and handyman work. This earned him the lifetime nickname of "Handyman MO".

He loved the mountains, the outdoors, ranches, livestock, wildlife, and hunting, which is well documented throughout his incredible collection of nearly 25,000 photographs and videos.

Mo loved to lead Bible studies, minister to others, write and play music, and enjoyed precious moments with his family and friends. He was a covenant member of Rapid City First Wesleyan Church.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; four sons: Ron (Carla) of Douglas, WY, Don (Patty) of Rapid City, SD, John (Kim) of Broadus, MT, and Tom (LouAnn) of Hermosa, SD; 19 grandchildren: Candace (Andy) Heinen, Chelsea (Ty) Mower, Caitlyn, Courtney, Ciara, Camrynne, Christie, Chritopher, Caleigh, Thomas, Joshua (Ashley), Andrew, Austin, Jentry (Lindsey), Jarett, Janessa, Bailey, Justin, and Tucker; four brothers: Wesley of Grand Island, Byron of Norfolk, Leonard of Watertown, SD, and George of Page.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Henrietta Blain of Orchard.

A memorial has been established at First Wesleyan Church in Rapid City, SD.  An online guest book for Mo may be signed at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.