Obit: Kerkvliet, Blanche M. (1917 – 2009)

 Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Kerkvliet, Adams, McMillen, Potter, Ross, Eller, Diffley, Graham, Dioka

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) November 11, 2009

Kerkvliet, Blanche M. (31 December 1917 – November 5, 2009)

Blanche M. Kerkvliet, 91, formerly of Fairchild, passed away Thursday evening, Nov. 5, 2009 at Family Heritage Care Center in Black River Falls.

Blanche M. Kerkvliet, daughter of Roy and Bernice (Adams) McMillen, was born Dec. 31, 1917, in Clovis, NM. She attended Texas Woman’s College in Denton, TX before taking a position at Cabot Industries in Pampa, TX.

She met Edmund J. Kerkvliet during World War II, and the couple later married Feb. 28, 1946, at Holy Souls Catholic Church in Pampa, TX.  Ed and Blanche lived in Pampa before moving to Larchwood, IA.  They eventually moved to rural Fairchild, where they purchased a farm in 1952.  She performed part-time bookkeeping duties for Farmer’s Union Co-op and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fairview.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fairview, where she was active in the Altar Society.  Due to failing health, she had been a resident at the care center since September 2005.

She is survived by two sons, Stephen and Judy Kerkvliet of McKinney, TX, and James and Stephanie Kerkvliet of Racine; daughter-in-law, Nancy Kerkvliet of Corvallis, OR; eight grandchildren, Justin Potter, Peter Kerkvliet, Jason (Dawn) Kerkvliet, Kevin Kerkvliet, Kristin (Andrew) Ross, Angela (Robert) Eller, Kelly Kerkvliet and Breanne Kerkvliet; great-granddaughter, Ava Kate Eller; and sisters-in-law, Fern Kerkvliet and Mary Diffley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Edmund, son Paul Kerkvliet and sister, Janet Graham.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fairview, rural Fairchild, with Father Jude Dioka officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.  A visitation was held Monday evening at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Family Heritage Care Center for the loving care shown to Blanche while she was with them.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials donated to Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls.