CHEW, Mary Blanche

HARMON, CHEW, THOMAS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/18/2015 at 13:53:07

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Obituary ~ Mary Blanche Chew
November 25, 1907 ~ October 21, 1985

MARY BLANCHE CHEW, daughter of CHARLES WIBERT (BERT) and LULU HARMON CHEW, was born Nov. 25, 1907 in Leon, Iowa, and died Oct. 21, 1985 in Des Moines at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. She graduated from high school in Leon and earned her college degree in education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Her studies over the years attest to her competency as an elementary school teacher.

In addition to her teaching, she was employed part time with the Riverview Amusement Park as one of the cashiers and managed for a short time, following her retirement, “The Book Store” on Euclid Avenue.

She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the Business Womens Association, the Retired Teachers' Association, the Elderberry Club and the Ding Darling Conservation Association.

BLANCHE loved her family and after her father’s death in the late fifties, welcomed her mother and sister, BETTY, into her home. She expressed herself so well as a teacher-student communicator, traveler and bird-watcher. Hosts of friends will remember her in deep gratitude for her greeting card ministry through the United Methodist Women.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, JAMES.

Surviving are her brother, CHARLES BURDETTE and wife, MARJORIE, Rapid City, S. D.; sister, BETTY JANICE, Des Moines; niece, SUSAN THOMAS, Rapid City; nephew JAMES, Carona, Ca.; and cousins in Des Moines.

Service was conducted from Epworth United Methodist Church, Des Moines, Oct. 23 with burial in the Leon Cemetery Leon, Iowa.

Transcription & submission by Sara Rose Joan LeFleur