Loretta Blanchat-Benton
Loretta M. (Hajek) Blanchat-Benton, 87, homemaker, died March 20, 2007.
Family visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday followed by the recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m., both at DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary, 201 S. Hydraulic, Wichita. Funeral Mass was at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 2007 N. Arkansas, Wichita.
Loretta was born Jan. 2, 1920, on a farm near Pilsen, the daughter of Raymond and Rosie Elizabeth (Vinduska) Hajek.
On Dec. 2, 1944, she married Paul Jones Blanchat at Wichita. He preceded her in death on Nov. 1, 1975.
She also was preceded in death by husbands Bill Gaiser, Elmer Herpolsheimer, and Jack Benton.
Loretta grew up on her folks' farm amidst the Czechoslovakian settlement centered in Pilsen.
As a young woman, she moved to Wichita where she worked as a cook and housekeeper.
She met Paul Blanchat on the dance floor of the Blue Moon, and they married soon after in 1944.
They raised five children together in the house across the street from Paul's machine shop, Blanchat Machine Company, on West Maple Street.
True to her Czech heritage, Loretta was known for her baking and cooking skills, particularly her kolaches and cinnamon rolls which were her specialties.
Loretta and Paul's enjoyment of music and dancing was always an important part of their life together, so much so that they provided the original maple dance floor materials for the upstart Rolling Hills Country Club.
In later years, Loretta became a big fan of sports. She loved to watch baseball and golf and enjoyed taking pictures.
She took much pride in her children and grandchildren. Loretta's beaming smile, gracious manner, positive attitude, and special vitality was enjoyed and will be remembered by all who knew her. She provided a wonderful role model for her children.
Loretta also was preceded in death by her brothers, Paul and Leon; and sister, Pauline.
Survivors are her children and their spouses, Terri and Richard Young, Susan Blanchat-Kelly and Michael Kelly, August and Marilyn Blanchat, Rose Ann Blanchat and Robert W. Claussen, and Lisa and Les Branine, all of Wichita; sister, Mildred Feik of Las Animas, Colo.; stepchildren, Jackie Pierce of St. Louis, Mo., and Scott Benton of Detroit, Mich.; five grandchildren, David (Christy) Drace of Overland Park, Scott Claborn Blanchat, Paul (Jennifer) Drace, Aleksandra and Anastasia Blanchat, all of Wichita; three great-grandchildren, Cassidy Drace, Luke and Will Drace. She also will be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
A memorial has been established with Harry Hynes Hospice, www.hynesmemorial.org and Botanica, www.botanica.org, Wichita. Send condolences and view tributes at www.mem.com.
— paid obituary
