Mary A. Blanding

Mary Alena Blanding was born on March 5, 1917 in Minneapolis, Kansas, the youngest of ten children to Albert and Clara Freeman. She died early Sunday, November 19, 2006 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 89 years, 8 months, and 14 days.
She grew up in the Minneapolis area before graduating from Minneapolis High School in the Class of 1935.
On August 25, 1940, she was united in marriage with James A. "Jim" Blanding at Minneapolis. Two children were born to this union. They lived on a farm near Barnard for many years and in 1955, they moved to Beloit, where Jim later owned and operated the Blanding Implement Company. They were privileged to spend more than 60 years of marriage together until Jim's death in March of 2001.
Mary was a very caring person. She enjoyed taking care of her children, and later her mother and mother-in-law. She also greatly enjoyed cooking and baking, and keeping a clean house.
She was a member of the Saltville Presbyterian Church and also attended the United Methodist Church in both Barnard and Beloit, and was a member of the Professional and Business Women. She also volunteered her time as a Pink Lady at the hospital and as a voter registration worker.
In addition to her husband, Jim, she was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; and four sisters.
Mary is survived by her son, Larry Blanding and his wife Debbie of Beloit; her daughter, Kay Warren and her husband Bill of Wichita; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at the Barnard United Methodist Church followed by burial in Milo Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Solomon Valley Hospice or the Barnard United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday at McDonald Funeral Home.