biography

BLANCHE E. GARDEWINE

Blanche Elizabeth Witt was born on January 9, 1915 at Rolfe. She was the daughter of John and Mabel (Bendixson) Witt. Blanche attended local country schools for the early grades and then graduated from Rolfe High School in 1932. She taught country school upon graduation from high school. Blanche married Roger Gardewine on December 18, 1936, at Pocahontas. To this union one child was born, Ronald who lives in Rolfe.

Blanche and Roger lived in the state of Illinois for a few years, and then moved back to Iowa to live and farm. Roger died on January 13, 1995, and Blanche remained on the farm until a few years ago, when she entered the Pocahontas Manor.

Blanche was a member of Presbyterian Church in Rolfe for many years and is now a member of the Presbyterian Church in Pocahontas. She was a 50-year member of The Eastern Star and held many offices. Blanche was also a member of The Pink Ladies and The Garden Club. In her spare time, she enjoyed tending her vegetable and flower garden, cooking and canning.

Survivors include her son: Ronald (Nancy) of Rolfe; grandchildren: Melody (Keith), Melissa, Todd (Jennifer) and Melinda; ten great-grandchildren: Megan, Dustin, Mara, Jacob, Lucas, Madysen, Levi, Ben, Emily and Avery; brother: Roger (Alice) Witt of Rolfe and sister, Edna Humphreys of Fort Dodge.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Roger and sisters, Margueritte and Irene.

Funeral services were scheduled for January 27, 2010, at the United Presbyterian Church of Pocahontas.