Blanche L. Killian

Blanche L. Killian, 87, of Blair, formerly of Eau Claire and Independence, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at Tri-County Memorial Hospital, Whitehall, with her daughter at her side. Blanche was born on August 7, 1924 to John and Catherine (Kloss) Saverinski. She was raised along with 2 brothers and 5 sisters on a farm in the Town of Burnside, Silver Fox Ridge and as such was no stranger to hard work. She attended Russell School and had many stories to tell about walking to school in all types of weather and having to stay overnight with neighbors when the weather was too bad to walk home. She graduated with honors from the Independence High School in 1944. She loved school and told many stories about her high school days. She attended most of her class reunions and loved seeing her classmates. Blanche was a pioneer for women working outside the home – in 1945 she began working as a legal secretary for John Markam, an attorney in Independence and continued working for him for approximately 15 years. On October 29, 1945 Blanche married Alphonse Killian. They bought their first home in Independence where they lived for nearly twenty years. In 1963 they purchased a farm near Blair and farmed until 1973. Once they retired, they moved to Buffalo City so they could be close to their two grandchildren. In 2000 they moved to Eau Claire where they lived next door to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on a hobby farm. In 2006, they returned to Blair. Blanche was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her quiet demeanor and devotion to her family has been an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Blanche is survived by a daughter, Patricia (Phil) Hammond of Murrieta California, a son, Richard Killian of Blair who unselfishly cared for both his parents for the last 15 years, grandchildren, Mark Schultz , Tammy (Matthew) Forseth, great grandchildren, Morgan Hewitt, Jackson Forseth, Christopher Schultz, Carter Schultz, Dominick Forseth, all of Eau Claire, sisters; Agnes Dubiel and Cecelia E. Killian of Independence, Pelchie (Dick) Rathke of Eau Claire, brothers; Adolph Saverinski and Alphonse (Patty) Saverinski of Independence and numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters, Genevieve Hagenbarth and Teofelia Kokott and a son-in-law, Larry Schultz. The family would like to thank her social worker, Sue Kohnert and her personal care worker, Sue Duha who were so very kind to Blanche; her friend, Florence Shelley who called her every evening and the staff at Tri-County Memorial Hospital who made her last days as pleasant as possible. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with Very Rev. Woodrow H. Pace officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Blanche L. Killian, please visit our flower store.