Leona M. Blaske

Leona M. Blaske, 85, of Linn, Kansas, died Sunday, June 19, 2011 at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, Kansas. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 22, at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn. Pastor David Gruoner officiated. Eunice Beier played the organ while the congregation sang “All the Saints”, “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” The pallbearers were Dr. Jake Kohlmeier, Jeremy Kohlmeier, Steven Fielding, Michaela Swaim, Jarin Fee, Ben Berger, Adam Yungeberg, Dennis Swaim, Jelena Fee, Emily Fielding, Suzette Yungeberg and Cori Kohlmeier. The honorary pallbearers were Chris Parker, Addison Fielding, Ava Kohlmeier, Henry Kohlmeier, Jayden Swaim, Chloee Swaim, Saige Swaim, Shevy Swaim, Ashlee May, Kaylee May and Macie Behrens. Burial was in the Fancy Creek Cemetery, north of Randolph, Kansas. Leona was born March 24, 1926 at Leonardville, Kansas, the daughter of Stanley B. and Myrtle L. (Gustafson) Norman. She attended school at old Randolph and graduated from Randolph High School in 1944. On January 18, 1945 she was united in marriage to Harold A. Blaske at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Marysville. They ran Blaske’s Café at old Randolph until Tuttle Creek was built. In 1959 they moved to Linn and opened Blaske’s Café and ran it until 1972. Leona cooked for the American Legion and was the dietician at the Linn Nursing Home. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, enjoyed bingo, crocheting, embroidery, polka dancing, and the waltz. She made great hamburgers, french fries and potato salad. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Harold, on October 20, 1992. Survivors include one son, Warren Blaske, Linn; four daughters, Elaine (Delvin) Berger, Barnes, Kan., Marlene (Keith) Kohlmeier, Topeka, Connie (Dan) Fee, Clay Center, and Kimberly Blaske and significant other, Eric Stevenson, Clay Center; one brother, Marvin "Oley" (Peggy) Norman, Manhattan, Kan.; one sister, Lucile Lundberg, Waterville, Kan.; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. A memorial fund is established to Linn Nursing Home, American Lung Association or Zion Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leona M. Blaske, please visit our flower store.