Ernest A. Blanken

Ernest A. Blanken, 92, Linn, died Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at the Linn Community Nursing Home. Visitation was Sunday, May 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Linn. The family received friends 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 12, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf. Pastor Timothy Lorenz officiated. Arlene Miller was the organist. The congregation sang “Just As I Am, Without One Plea”, “The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want”, “Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” The pallbearers were Jeremy Stover, Michael Weiche, Que Herrs, Jeremy Schroeder, Shelby Wehrman, Casey Wehrman, Derek Pyeatt and Jared Thomas. The honorary pallbearers were Jaime Schroeder, Melanie Wehrman, Stephanie Wehrman, Natalie Pyeatt, Traci Stover, Tonya Weiche and Tammy Herrs. Burial was in the church cemetery. Ernie was born at rural Linn on April 6, 1922 to William and Clara (Meyer) Blanken. He attended St. John Parochial School. On June 9, 1946, Ernie and Loretta Schwerdtfeger were united in marriage at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ellsworth, KS. Ernie was a lifelong farmer in the Linn-Palmer area and later the Greenleaf area. He enjoyed raising Angus cattle, driving tractors and attending farm and cattle sales. Family was important to him and he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren especially at family gatherings and sporting events. Ernie was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf and belonged to the Men’s Club and LLL. Preceding him in death were his parents; an infant son; brother, Clarence Blanken; sister, Wilda Helms; sisters-in-law, Margaret Blanken and Ruby Blanken; and brothers-in-law, Lawrence Helms and Duane Mall. Survivors include his wife, Loretta, Linn; sons, Roger Blanken, Washington, Armin (Chris) Blanken, Greenleaf; daughter, Connie (Lynn) Thomas, Riley; sisters, Nora (Sam) Goodin, Mary Ann Mall, both of Clay Center, Lorna (Dr. Norbert) Stigge, Lylah (Kenneth) McCosh, both of Manhattan; brother, Elmer (Velma) Blanken, Leavenworth; eight grandchildren, Jaime (Jeremy) Schroeder, Melanie (Shelby) Wehrman, Stephanie (Casey) Wehrman, Natalie (Derek) Pyeatt, Jared Thomas, Traci (Jeremy) Stover, Tonya (Michael) Weiche and Tammy (Que) Herrs; and nineteen great-grandchildren, Jayleigh, Caleb, Alayna, Kathryn, Haven, Gracie Wehrman, John, Jason, Justus, Carsten Wehrman, Kaitlin Pyeatt, Paige, Saige Stover, Emily, Kaily, Wyatt Weiche, Addison, Gavin and Brogan Herrs. A memorial fund has been established in Ernest’s name and will be designated by the family later. Contributions may be sent to Ward Funeral Home, PO Box 157, Washington, KS 66968. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ernest A. Blanken, please visit our flower store.