Blanche Lisk (1905-2004)

LISK, VAN WYNGARDEN, BLOM, TAYLOR, CHILDERS, SPRUNK, HOMAN

Posted By: volunteer transcriber
Date: 2/16/2020 at 17:18:44

Blanche Blom Lisk, 98, a resident of Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa, and formerly of the Delta area and Oskaloosa, died Monday, April 19, 2004, at the care center. She was born August 30, 1905 at Lacey, the daughter of M.C. and Margaret Van Wyngarden Blom. She attended rural school in Mahaska County, and graduated from the Delta High School. She earned her B.A. degree from William Penn College, and received her M.A. degree in Business Education from the University of Iowa. She also did graduate work through the University of Northern Iowa.

During World War II, she worked as a Civil Service secretary in the War Department, Signal Corps division, in Washington, D.C. On June 29, 1941, she was united in marriage to Harold Lisk at Washington, D.C. He died April 2, 1992.

Blanche devoted her entire life to her teaching career, beginning in rural schools in Keokuk County; upper grades in Rose Hill, and high schools in Tracy, Eddyville, Chariton, and Oskaloosa. She taught business at the Oskaloosa Senior High School for 27 years, and had been a Business Education professor at William Penn. Following her retirement from active teaching, she taught and did secretarial work at Indian Hills Community College for several years.

Blanche was a Past Worthy High Priestess of the Harrold White Shrine, and Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Oskaloosa. She also served as an officer in several stations in the Pythian Sisters in Oskaloosa, and had been a member of the Business and Professional Womens Club, and she was chosen as their first "Woman of the Year".

In the educational field, she was a member of the Pi Omega Pi, an honorary society in business education; and a charter member of Rho Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and served as an officer and president of Rho Chapter, and was state secretary for many years.

Blanche served as president of the Delta Federated Women's Club, and was secretary of the county organization for many years. She taught Sunday school for many years, and was a member of the Rose Hill Community Church, having transferred from Central United Methodist Church of Oskaloosa. In later years, she attended the Delta Methodist Church.

In retirement, she enjoyed many hobbies and her pets and loved to read.

Blanche is survived by a brother and his wife, Floyd and Dot Blom of Las Vegas, Nevada; a sister in law: Freeda Blom of Oskaloosa; a number of nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and former students.

Besides her husband, Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mabel Taylor; and three brothers: Carl, Ernest, and Cecil Blom.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 23, 2004, at 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa, with the Rev. David Childers officiating, assisted by the Rev. Ralph Sprunk. Burial will be in the Tioga Cemetery near Rose Hill, with the Rev. Vince Homan officiating. Visitation will begin at the funeral chapel on Wednesday after 5 p.m., and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Delta Methodist Church or the Rose Hill Community Church. (The Oskaloosa Herald, n.d.)