Florence E. Blanchard

Florence E. Blanchard

Florence E. Blanchard

Florence E. Blanchard, age 82, of O'Neill, formerly of North Bend, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at the Golden LivingCenter in O'Neill.

Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012,  and on Monday one hour prior to the service.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at the Moser Memorial Chapel in North Bend with Rev. Craig Collins officiating.

Burial was at the Memorial Cemetery in Fremont.

Moser Memorial Chapel in North Bend were in charge of arrangements.

Florence was born on July 10, 1930, in North Bend to Thomas and Julia (Jonas) Kracl. She grew up in rural North Bend and was a 1947 graduate of North Bend High School. She taught at rural schools in Dodge, Colfax and Saunders counties.

She married Lyle E. Blanchard on June 16, 1955, at Purple Cane, northwest of North Bend. The couple farmed east of Morse Bluff and later northwest of North Bend. 

Florence received her bachelor of science degree from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont. She worked at Schweser's Department Store in Fremont for 10 years after having taught school for 22 years.

She moved to Fremont in 1985 and in 1999 moved to Leisure Lake, near North Bend. Florence had been living in O'Neill since 2011.

She was a member of the V.F.W. Post #8223 Auxiliary at North Bend and a member of the former First United Methodist Church in Morse Bluff and was the church pianist. Florence was an avid scrabble player. She was a very dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed.

Florence is survived by her son, Brian Blanchard and wife, Rita of Fremont; daughter, Beth Sanders and husband, Bob of O'Neill; brothers: Raymond Kracl and wife, Anita of Fremont and Jerold Kracl and wife, Leona of Schuyler; four grandchildren: Nichole Ruzicka and husband, Doug; Broc Blanchard and wife, Ashley; Amber Krakau and husband, Mark and Adam King and wife, Michelle; four great-grandchildren: Chase, Layne and Garrett Ruzicka and Emma King.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lyle, who died May 1, 2006, and three brothers, Bob, Norman and Thomas F. Kracl.

Memorials may be given to the North Bend Library.

Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.