Blanche Schaan

Blanche Schaan, 91, Minot, ND, formerly of Williston, ND, passed away on Wednesday September 3, 2025, at Trinity Hospital.

Blanche Marie Schaan was born January 20, 1934, the daughter of Thomas H. Sr. and Hildegard (Kueffler) Delaney, in Williston, ND. She was raised and educated in Williston, attending Central Grade School and graduating from Williston High School in 1952.

Blanche married Leonard Schaan of Balta, ND, on May 30, 1960, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Williston. After spending three years in Williston, they made their home in Minot.

Blanche worked for Conlin's Furniture in Williston for nine years as a secretary and bookkeeper. After moving to Minot, she held similar roles at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Little Flower Catholic Church and Augustana Lutheran Church. She also served as secretary to the president of Union National Bank. She finished up her career at the Minot State University Bookstore working as a clerk and buyer of supplies for five and half years.

Blanche retired in 1994. She and Leonard enjoyed many years as snowbirds, spending time in Mesa, Casa Grande, and Yuma, Arizona, as well as Port Aransas, Texas. After 14 years of wintering in Arizona, they returned to Minot full time to be closer to family.

Blanche was active in her community. She served as a 4-H leader for five years and supervised 4-H projects at the North Dakota State Fair for two years. She was also a past member of Catholic Daughters of America, a charter member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, where she assisted with the CCD program, and a member of St. Ann's and St. Francis Societies.

Blanche and Leonard adopted their son, Galen, and daughters, Karen and Jerolyn, when they were just seven weeks old. Their family grew over the years to include four grandsons and three granddaughters, as well as three great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters. Blanche cherished her role as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Blanche first traveled overseas at age 69, visiting France, Italy, and Switzerland. She also visited her daughter, Karen, in Macedonia while she was serving in the Peace Corps, and over the years she traveled to England, Ireland, Turkey, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Blanche's loving family includes her husband of 65 years, Leonard; children, Galen Schaan (Theresa) of Minot, Karen Schaan (Brian) of Woodland, WA, and Jerolyn Austin of Minot; grandsons, Eric Johnson, Bryan Johnson, David Schaan, and Jack Austin; granddaughters, Alyssa Guttormson (Alex), Brittany Schaan, and Mallori Cruse (Chris); great-grandsons, Theodore, Linkin and Lucas; and great-granddaughters, Braeleigh, Gracyn, Sionna, and Anna. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Joe Heintz, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Henry, Dennis, and Tom Jr. Delaney; sisters, Anna Mae (Lloyd) Winden, Mary Ann Casey; sisters-in-law, Bertha (Pat) Diggins, Cathy (Joe) Heintz, and Mary Ellen (Paul) Lokken; and brothers-in-law, Ray (Beanie) Schaan and Alfred Schaan.

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service: Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to a local organization that supports individuals with disabilities such as Prairie Grit Sports, Second Story Social Club or Minot's Dream Catchers Baseball Club.