Bladt, Laura J. (1922-2012)

BLADT, MILLER, WEBER, JOENS, FORD, NISSEN, CHAMPLIN, MURRA, VILLA, ZEECK, SHAVE, SPRAKLIN, MCKEAN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/22/2012 at 13:06:19

Laura J. Bladt
(March 12, 1922 - January 17, 2012)

Laura J. Bladt, age 89, of Buffalo Center, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center.

Laura “Jeanne” Miller Bladt was born four miles south of Logan, Iowa, in Harrison County to Irving and Tena (Weber) Miller on March 12, 1922. She was baptized in the farm home at Logan.

Jeanne attended Harrison Grove country school and Logan High School, graduating from Persia High School in 1940. After graduating, she met Gene Bladt of Hamlin, Iowa, and subsequently married him on January 25, 1942. Three children were born from this union: Roger Steven, Deanna Jeanette and Laurel Rae. Gene served in the Army from 1942-1945 as a drill sergeant. After he returned, they made their home in Hamlin, living there for fifty-two and a half years before moving to Audubon in 1998.

While living in Hamlin, Jeanne was confirmed from the Lutheran Church. Becoming very active in the Hamlin Lutheran Church, she taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. She was also a Junior Missionary Leader, Church and Evangelism Secretary, and president of the women's Church and Alter Society. Jeanne put in many hours with the ladies who worked on mission quilts and belonged to her Bible study group. She also held offices with the Retarded Children’s Association of Audubon County and was involved with that group for over twelve years.

As her children grew and left home, Jeanne went to work at the Audubon Elementary School, serving as secretary to the school’s principal for over ten years. She tried to retire, but then returned to work at the Audubon County Hospital as an office secretary, working there for another ten years before retiring in 1987.

In her spare time, Jeanne loved to garden, grow hybrid flowers, bake, attend barn dances, ride horses, paint, make scrapbooks, and read. She and Gene played cards with many friends each weekend. She also loved animals, especially cats and her kitten, Snookie, most of all.

She moved to Buffalo Center in 2005 to be close to her children and grandchildren. She joined the Methodist Church in Buffalo Center making new friends at the church and in the community. Her “church lunch buddies” will miss her.

Her daughters will always remember their Mom as a devoted mother and grandmother. Her sons-in-law will surely miss her “stickel pickles” and coconut cream pie. Her grand- and great grandchildren will remember she always had time to play games with them, Bingo, Concentration, and Old Maid, and kept a special “candy drawer”.

Jeanne also valued keeping her hair pretty, her yard nice looking, and her car clean and full of gas!

Jeanne was a proud, determined, and strong woman. Smart, capable, loving, and kind. Stubborn and bull-headed as well—You bet! These qualities best describe mom, the qualities that got her through life’s trials and that will get her through Heaven’s Gate.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gene (2001); her son, Roger (1995); her grandson, Baby Joens (1973); her granddaughter, Heather LaRae Joens-Ford (2008); her great grandson, David J. Nissen (2001); her father, Irving Miller; her mother, Tena Champlin; her stepfather, W.J. Champlin; her grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.

Jeanne is survived by her daughters; Dee (Denny) Murra and Laurel (Denny) Joens, both of Buffalo Center, Iowa; her grandchildren: Jen (Ryan) Villa, of Billings, Montana, Brent (Michelle) Nissen, of Walters, Minnesota, Tracy Murra, of Buffalo Center, Iowa, Laura Murra, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Sarah (Art) Zeeck, of Mason City, Iowa; her great grandchildren: Caleb Villa, Jaycob Murra, Molli Joens, Katelyn Nissen, Alex Ford, Casey Shave, and Trinity Zeeck; her brother, V.L. “Butch” Miller, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, her sisters: Deloris (Don) Spraklin, of Valley, Iowa, and Donna (Dennis) McKean, of Papillion, Nebraska, as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Her and her granddaughter, Heather’s, favorite verse: "It’s the friends we meet along life’s path…who help us appreciate the journey."

At last, the Chickadee is reunited with her Turtledove.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, January 20, 2012, at The United Methodist Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa, with Pastors Deb Devine and Lois Abels officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Copyright © 2012, Winter Funeral Home and Cremation Service