Blanche Blackwelder

Blanche Murray Blackwelder died July 25, 2017, just one month short of her 99th birthday.

She was born August 21, 1918, in Isabel, Kansas, to Edith Lorraine Blankenship and Ruben DeForest Murray.

She had seven siblings, Ollie Armstrong, Louella Wehling, Ada Mae Bush, Mary Martha Murray, Geneva Morley, Juanita (and husband Earl) Dwayne.

She graduated from Isabel High School and cosmetology school in Wichita.

On April 11, 1939, she was married to Max William Blackwelder. During their marriage they lived in Newton, Marion, Augusta, and Wichita.

Two children were born to this union, Jan Beth and Murray Max.

Blanche worked for the Bi-County Health Department in El Dorado, enjoyed serving as president of the Federated Club and president of the Women’s Society of the Methodist Church, working in her church, playing bridge, reading, word puzzles, and visiting with friends and family.

Blanche lived at Georgetown Retirement Complex in Wichita for 10 years and lived the past five years at Peace of Mind in Wichita.

She was preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, sisters, and brother.

She leaves two children, Jan Beth Ensminger of McKinney, Texas, and Murray Max Blackwelder (and wife, Diane) of Parkville, Missouri; three grandsons, Kurt Allen Eckstrom (and wife, Jennifer) of Allen, Texas, Brett Wilson Blackwelder (and wife, Alisha) of Kansas City, Missouri, and Karsten Max Blackwelder (and wife, Tara) of San Antonio; and three great-grandsons, Henry, Gavin Max, and Braxton.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Blanche with a memorial to Peace of Mind, 223 Burr Oak Rd, Wichita KS 67206-2105, where Sholanda, Elijah and staff cared for her so lovingly.

Viewing was at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 1 with an 11 a.m. graveside service at the Lakeview Cemetery, 12100 E. 13th St., Wichita.