Photo courtesy of Martin-Mattice Funeral Home - Emmetsburg
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family. Deepest sympathies to all. May God bless. Marcia Beatty
Marc ia Beatty
November 08, 2021 | Emmetsburg, IA | Friend
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...
Mary Ellen Jackson
November 07, 2021 | Emmetsburg, IA
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.
Brittany Hernandez (Merrill)
November 07, 2021 | Emmetsburg, IA | Acquaintance
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.
Mike & Mary Brennan
November 07, 2021 | Emmetsburg, IA | Friend
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.
Wayne & Donna Johnson
November 07, 2021 | Ruthven, IA | Classmate
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.
Velma Johnson
November 07, 2021 | Emmetsburg, IA | Acquaintance
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
Dick & Anne Marie Nelson
November 07, 2021 | Emmetsburg, IA
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.
Linda Renner
November 07, 2021 | Omaha, NE | Friend
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.
Laura Sweet
November 06, 2021 | Des Moines, IA | Student
In Loving MemoryMary BlakeJanuary 25, 1938 - November 4, 2021VISITATIONSunday, November 7, 20215:00 - 7:00 P.M.Holy Family Catholic ChurchEmmetsburg, IowaMASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIALMonday, November 8, 20212:00 P.M.Holy Family Catholic ChurchEmmetsburg, IowaCELEBRANTRev. Bill SchreiberINTERMENTSt. John's Catholic CemeteryEmmetsburg, 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
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