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She was born Wednesday September 4, 1912 at the farm home of her parents, Anton and Frances Kriz near Linwood Nebraska, as were her five siblings - sisters Clara Kasper, & Elizabeth Hines, brothers - Phil Kriz, & Albin "Beanie" Kriz and sister Frances Stuchlik.
After attending Midland College, Blanche taught three years in a Saunders County country school. At her 80th Birthday party she reported that all the students there went on to live successful lives.
On June 5, 1935 after a three and a half year courtship, she and Wallace E. Lillie of Fremont were married in Grand Island. They made their home in Fremont where their two children Virginia and John were born. Wallace & Blanche were a team. They loved fishing in MN, traveling, cooking and entertaining family, friends and Church groups. Wallace preceded her in death in 1972 but she continued the cooking and entertaining practice alone for another 30-35 years.
Blanche was a pioneer. She won many bowling trophies, and was an avid bridge player until just a few months ago. She was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Fremont; Church Women United; Eastern Star Arbor Vitae Chapter # 92.
While she did not seek the recognition, she was elected by the people to nearly every leadership responsibility in the Congregation; one of two first female Elders; Chair of Christian Woman's Fellowship both of the Congregation & of the State of Nebraska; President of Church Woman United; first woman (and for many years the only) to have served as Chair of the Congregation. In 1965-1966, she was President of the Christian Church in Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four of her siblings (Clara, Elizabeth, Phil, and Albin), husband Wallace and their son John, and Great Grandsons Grant Geisert and Evan Acker.
She is survived by her sister Frances Stuchlik, Omaha; daughter Virginia Acker (son-in-law, Rev. Dr. N. Dwain Acker), Lincoln; Daughter-in-law Caren Lillie, Fremont.
Grandchildren: Carla (& Russell) Ring, Omaha; Dan (& Kerry) Acker, Jennifer (& Tim) Geisert, Jill (& Donald) Everett all of Lincoln; Jason (Becky Kerwin) Lillie, Cedar Bluffs, and Tahnee (& David) Siders, Omaha;
Great Grand Children: Jessica Larimore, Andrew Ring, Robert & Chase Acker, Austin & Gabrielle Geisert, Hannah, William & Lillie Everett and Dillon Siders; Great Great Grandson Brian Larimore, and many nieces & nephews.
The funeral service will be at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fremont at 10:30 AM Tuesday (July 24th) with the Rev. Greg Lugn, Rev. Dr. N. Dwain Acker, and Rev. Judy Fitzgerald. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont, is today (July 23rd) from 3 to 8 PM. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fremont and the South Pointe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lincoln.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
After attending Midland College, Blanche taught three years in a Saunders County country school. At her 80th Birthday party she reported that all the students there went on to live successful lives.
On June 5, 1935 after a three and a half year courtship, she and Wallace E. Lillie of Fremont were married in Grand Island. They made their home in Fremont where their two children Virginia and John were born. Wallace & Blanche were a team. They loved fishing in MN, traveling, cooking and entertaining family, friends and Church groups. Wallace preceded her in death in 1972 but she continued the cooking and entertaining practice alone for another 30-35 years.
Blanche was a pioneer. She won many bowling trophies, and was an avid bridge player until just a few months ago. She was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Fremont; Church Women United; Eastern Star Arbor Vitae Chapter # 92.
While she did not seek the recognition, she was elected by the people to nearly every leadership responsibility in the Congregation; one of two first female Elders; Chair of Christian Woman's Fellowship both of the Congregation & of the State of Nebraska; President of Church Woman United; first woman (and for many years the only) to have served as Chair of the Congregation. In 1965-1966, she was President of the Christian Church in Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four of her siblings (Clara, Elizabeth, Phil, and Albin), husband Wallace and their son John, and Great Grandsons Grant Geisert and Evan Acker.
She is survived by her sister Frances Stuchlik, Omaha; daughter Virginia Acker (son-in-law, Rev. Dr. N. Dwain Acker), Lincoln; Daughter-in-law Caren Lillie, Fremont.
Grandchildren: Carla (& Russell) Ring, Omaha; Dan (& Kerry) Acker, Jennifer (& Tim) Geisert, Jill (& Donald) Everett all of Lincoln; Jason (Becky Kerwin) Lillie, Cedar Bluffs, and Tahnee (& David) Siders, Omaha;
Great Grand Children: Jessica Larimore, Andrew Ring, Robert & Chase Acker, Austin & Gabrielle Geisert, Hannah, William & Lillie Everett and Dillon Siders; Great Great Grandson Brian Larimore, and many nieces & nephews.
The funeral service will be at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fremont at 10:30 AM Tuesday (July 24th) with the Rev. Greg Lugn, Rev. Dr. N. Dwain Acker, and Rev. Judy Fitzgerald. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont, is today (July 23rd) from 3 to 8 PM. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fremont and the South Pointe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lincoln.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com