Clara Blanke

Clara Blanke, 104, died Sunday, February 1, 2009 at the Hanover Hospital. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at Immanuel Lutheran Church north-east of Bremen. Burial was in the church cemetery. Clara was born to William C. and Anna (Nieman) Mueller on November 16, 1904 near Hanover. She was baptized into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran Church on November 29, 1904 and confirmed there on April 13, 1919. On February 12, 1928 she was united in marriage to Martin Blanke. They were blessed with three children, Verla, Lorna and Norwood. Martin and Clara were engaged in dairy farming and farming in the Bremen and Hanover area community. Clara was actively involved with Lutheran Braille Workers, Immanuel Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League, Immanuel Ladies Society and the Hanover Hospital Craft Ladies. She was also a church choir member until she was 75. Outside the church, she was an avid quilter, gardener and created many hand-made crafts for area people. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three sisters, Hilda, Martha Frerking, and Esther Koeneke; and brother, Alfred Mueller. She is survived by two daughters Verla Kruse of Hanover, Lorna Friedrichs and husband Ray of Bremen; one son, Rev. Norwood Blanke and wife Jodi of Ontario, CA; 13 grandchildren, Allan Kruse, Kathleen Lovig, Richard Kruse, Laura Kunkel, David Kruse, Virginia Ratliff, Beverly Jamison, Robin Friedrichs, Connie Straight, Rev. Neal Blanke, Joel Blanke, Jonathan Blanke, and Karl Blanke; 25 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Memorial gifts may be designated to Good Shepherd Lutheran School Endowment fund, Lutheran Braille Workers or an organization of the donor’s choice. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clara Blanke, please visit our flower store.