Esther Blank

Esther Marion Blank was born on June 5, 1911, in Starbuck, the daughter of Gustav and Julia Berge. She was baptized on July 26, 1911 at East Zion Lutheran Church in rural Starbuck. and moved with her family at the age of six months to the Barsness Store 7 miles south of Glenwood, where Gustav was the manager for about 14 years. During this time, Esther attended country school in District 35, Pope County, MN, through the 8th grade. In 1925, Esther was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Barsness Lutheran Church in rural Glenwood and graduated from Starbuck High School on May 30, 1929. On August 3, 1936, Esther was united in marriage to Otto Blank at East Zion Lutheran Church. Esther taught school for many years in numerous Minnesota school Districts, including Montevideo, MN. She retired in 1976 and Otto passed away in 1988. During her lifetime, Esther witnessed many historical events, including the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She was a very active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo, participating in Martha Circle and Senior Lites. She loved gardening, growing flowers, traveling, knitting, reading and volunteering her time with the Chippewa County-Montevideo Hospital Auxiliary. Most of all, Esther enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. In the evening hours of August 5, 2012, Esther was called from this life while a resident of Luther Haven Nursing Home. She was 101 years of age.Surviving family include her sons Dan (& Verlie) Blank of Alexandria, MN, Jerry (& Jeanne) Blank of Mendota Heights, MN and Robert (& Sally) Blank of Erie, CO; grandchildren- Julie (& Mike) Neumann, Jim (& Nancy) Blank, Tom (& Patrice) Blank, Kathy Blank (& special friend Anthony Triden), Scott (& Anne) Blank, Todd (& Amy) Blank, Melissa (& Kevin) Callahan, Randy (& Lisa) Blank and Brad (& Melissa) Blank; 13 great grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren and one step great great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Otto; a brother- Glenn Berge (KIA WWII) and a son Ronald.