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Mary Blake Obituary
In Loving Memory
Mary Blake
January 25, 1938 - November 4, 2021
VISITATION
Sunday, November 7, 2021
5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Holy Family Catholic Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, November 8, 2021
2:00 P.M.
Holy Family Catholic Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa
CELEBRANT
Rev. Bill Schreiber
INTERMENT
St. John's Catholic Cemetery
Emmetsburg, Iowa
Mary G. Blake, daughter of M.J. “Dude” and Mary H. (Ruddy) Kane, was born January 25, 1938 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. She began her education in country school, completing eighth grade. Mary then completed her education at Emmetsburg High School, graduating in 1956. Following high school she continued her education at Emmetsburg Community College and Buena Vista College, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Education.
Mary taught elementary school after receiving her degree, in West Bend and then country school near Wayne, Nebraska. Mary was united in marriage to John “Jack” Blake in 1961. They were blessed with three daughters, Kari, Jackie and Angi.
Mary and Jack returned to the area, teaching in both Ayrshire and Pocahontas. After Jack entered the banking business, Mary continued teaching and taught in Emmetsburg and Clarion. When the family moved back to Emmetsburg in 1979, Mary again taught in Emmetsburg until her retirement. Following retirement, Mary continued to substitute teach for many years. Over the course of her teaching career, Mary taught three generations of students.
Mary had an unshakable faith and was a devoted member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. She was an avid sports enthusiast and a dedicated E’Hawk fan, following all of the events held at school. Pity the person that spoke negatively of any “E’Hawk” in the presence of Mary! She, along with her sister Margaret were honored as Grand Marshals of Homecoming. Mary’s family was very important to her and she loved getting together with not only her own girls and their families but her extended family as well. She will be remembered by her grandchildren, for the phone calls on their birthdays, and the serenade of “Happy Birthday” that she sang to them, as well as the countless silly cards they received for any occasion. They never missed a chance to visit her and often said…”Our grandma has ears that truly listen”.
Mary passed away at the age of 83 on Thursday, November 4, 2021 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, with family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, M.J. “Dude” and Mary Kane; her husband, Jack; three brothers, Matthew “Pat” Kane, George Kane and Jim Kane; and a granddaughter-in-law, Amanda Schany.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kari Blake-Schany of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Jackie and Steve Jensen of Iowa City, Iowa and Angi and Mike Louscher of Waukee, Iowa; grandchildren, Joseph Schany, Courtney Nichol (Corbin), Katelyn Schany (Matt Fishels), Blake Kuiper (Justin), Blake Louscher (Kate), B.J. Jensen (Jenna), Kane Louscher (Katie Moore), Tyler Jensen, Mary Katherine Louscher; great grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy and Gene Myers of Emmetsburg, Iowa and Margaret and Duane Twait of Emmetsburg, Iowa; sister-in-law, Ruth Kane of Emmetsburg, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Blake
Marc ia Beatty
November 8, 2021
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family. Deepest sympathies to all. May God bless. Marcia Beatty
Mary Ellen Jackson
November 7, 2021
We were so very fortunate to have had Aunt Mary in our lives! We will treasure the many memories. We realize just how lucky we were to have grown up with the love and support of a large family so near and dear! Aunt Mary treated all of her nieces and nephews like we were one of her own, and for that we are truly grateful! Mary touched the lives of so many people! She was an amazing mother, wife, sister aunt, teacher, and friend! We will miss you, but at the same time, we know you will be celebrating a life well lived in heaven as you unite with your loved ones! Love always, Mary Ellen and family!
Brittany Hernandez (Merrill)
November 7, 2021
Katelyn & family..your Gma Mary Blake will always be remembered in more ways than one. She demonstrated love and a woman of pure kindness. God bless you all, & may he grant comfort unto you.
Mike & Mary Brennan
November 7, 2021
Sending our sympathies and prayers to all of Mary's family. We were blessed to have Mary in our lives, she was an amazing lady. God bless each of you.
Wayne & Donna Johnson
November 7, 2021
So very sorry for the loss of your Mom, she was such a caring soul. My hubby graduated with your Mom and I graduated with her brother, Jim, so we have been friends for years. Mary was certainly an EHawk fan and was also a wonderful teacher. Hold all those wonderful memories close and know she is watching over you every day. Again our sincere sympathy to all of Mary's family.
Velma Johnson
November 7, 2021
To all of Mary's family and friends...know she will be missed by all.Keep your memories tight but share them with others. May God hold you in his arms at this hard time.
Dick & Anne Marie Nelson
November 7, 2021
Deepest sympathy to each of you as you grieve the loss of your family’s matriarch. What an E’Hawk creator and champion she was in the classroom and community. Repeated sympathy
Linda Renner
November 7, 2021
Your mom was a wonderful person and a wonderful friend to my mom for years. She will be missed by many. Cherish your memories and find peace knowing she will be with your dad.
Laura Sweet
November 6, 2021
So sorry for your loss! Mrs. Blake was an amazing teacher, who was always so nice, fun, and could help you believe in yourself. She was a treasure and will be missed.
Laure Miller
November 6, 2021
My deepest sympathy to Mary's family.. She was so kind and such a great teacher! RIP Mary! You will be missed.
Linda Currans
November 6, 2021
So sorry for your loss. She was always so friendly and nice. Will miss seeing her at Bully's with her friends for tacos.
Rhonda Buhsmann Vandenhemel
November 6, 2021
My thoughts and prayers goes out to Mrs Blake's family and friends..Mrs Blake was a great teacher I really loved how she taught my children in school she was a great teacher to me too..she will be missed by everyone she taught ..God gained a very special angel..
Marilyn Mugan Holmes
November 6, 2021
Another member of an old pioneer family gone. The community lost a very special person when Mary left. She influenced many lives. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to/for her family.
Vikki Schmidt
November 6, 2021
Very sorry for your loss! What a sweet, classy lady. Her spunk was one of a kind. She will be missed, dearly.
Sheila Stevensen
November 6, 2021
Mrs. Blake was my most favorite person! She was such a great teacher and role model! She always made you feel special, no matter what. She will be missed. Heaven gained a good one. Peace!
Jim & Lori McLaughlin
November 6, 2021
Praying that your memories of an amazing mom and grandmother; that the knowledge that she is in the arms of our savior Jesus Christ & reunited with those she has loved and have gone to glory before her; along the hope of eternal life to see her again will in some way soften pain of your loss.
Bill/Marcie Frevert
November 6, 2021
Dear Blake and Kane Families, We are so sorry for the loss of your loved one. We’ve lost a stellar member of the class of ‘56. Mary loved being a teacher; she made everyone feel special, but you her family always came first.
We send our love and sincere sympathy.
Bill&Marcie Frevert
Cindy Dave Pettit
November 6, 2021
Such a sweet caring Lady beautiful inside and out ! Our sympathies to her family!
shirley, arleigh allen
November 6, 2021
I love kindness, you were the epitome of love
Roxie Carrigan
November 6, 2021
Mary Blake was a beautiful lady, inside & out! Had more class than anyone I know. Her sense of humor couldn’t be beat! She was respected by absolutely everyone that knew her. She could get the most unruly student to behave with just a look or a simple statement. There will never be a teacher to match her. Now she is with Jack. Cheer the Ehawks up there Mary!❤❤❤❤
Brad Cooke
November 5, 2021
So sorry to hear. Her personality and character was truly one of a kind. She was an amazing teacher who made such an impact on so many of our lives. Our sympathy to the family
Jessica Libby (Burdick)
November 5, 2021
Mrs. Blake was a shining light for her students - encouraging and always an advocate. Even as an adult, when I saw Mrs. Blake she was the kindest soul, asking about us and our families. Thinking of all of you, she will be missed.
Maureen Horsley
November 5, 2021
So very sorry. Mrs.Blake was a very special teacher n a great lady. Family was SO important. You are all in my prayers. Remember the memories.
Debra Umbrell Zanfes and family
November 5, 2021
So sorry for your loss! Debra
Debra, David, Mackenzie and Morgan (Umbrell) Zanfes
November 5, 2021
She was the best! My favorite teacher! She believed in me when no one else did and she made learning fun and she taught me to believe in myself. I always needed extra help learning until I found her and she taught me that I could read and write if I put extra effort into it. I remember reading something in her class for the first time and she made everyone think it was the best thing ever written and the funniest thing, but afterwards I realized that she had made me and my classmates believe it was, but it really wasn’t. After having Mrs. Blake I started to really do well in school and started to be on the honor roll. She called me Burrhead. I became a teacher and made it through college because she believed in me. I really appreciate all she did for me. I hope I am as good of a teacher as she was. I will miss her! Please let me know when the funeral will be. Debra
Jim and Jan Stillman
November 5, 2021
Mary was such a fun lady. We enjoyed stopping during Covid and visiting on the porch. She raised three beautiful, talented daughters whom we adopted. Our sympathy and prayers to them, their families and Mary’s extended family.
Freemans
November 5, 2021
It's hard to say good bye but can't help to think about all the great memories!! Great teacher and friend to so many! We cherish those memories and know that she is smiling down on all of you and having a reunion with those that have been lost before her. Peace be with you!
Kimberly Heddinger
November 5, 2021
What an amazing woman! Mary could always light up the place. It was a pleasure to work with her. My boys loved her as did the other students that had her. I cannot express the sadness I have for her family as you learn to live without her, but always remember how many lives she has touched and the smiles she put on so many people's faces. God Bless you all. Pat and Kim Heddinger
Andrea Carr
November 5, 2021
Sorry for your loss my deepest sympathy for yours.
Lynne Farnsworth
November 5, 2021
We are sorry to hear about Mary...what a wonderful caring lady she was.....She will be greatly missed...Prayers for all of the Blake family......Steve and Lynne Farsnworth
John and Danita O'Leary
November 5, 2021
We are so sorry to hear about Mary. She was so sweet and always had a smile on her face. The world has lost such a kind lady.
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Funeral services provided by:
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home - Emmetsburg704 Grand Avenue, Emmetsburg, IA 50536