Judith Blanco

Judith Blanco, 88, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Ida Grove, Iowa, died Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.

Judy was born March 5, 1938, in Martiny Township, Michigan, the daughter of Peter and Gladys Katke. She grew up on a small farm in Mecosta County, Michigan. She graduated from Mecosta County Consolidated Schools as salutatorian in the class of 1956. Following graduation, she pursued Registered Nurse training at Hurley Hospital School of Nursing in Flint, Michigan. Upon earning her R.N., her adventurous spirit led her to Palo Alto, California. She worked as a nurse in a small hospital in California for a short time.

Upon realizing that California was not for her, she returned to Flint Michigan and worked as a nurse. While working at the hospital in Flint she met the love of her life, John Blanco. The two of them were married on June 24, 1961. To this union four children were born: John, Linda, David, and Matthew.

Judy dedicated her time to caring for her family and home. She was active with her children's activities, including sports, music, and scouting. When her home grew quiet as her children became busy with their own lives, Judy returned to the workforce. She worked as an R.N. at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove. She retired from nursing in 2006 but stayed active volunteering at the hospital gift and coffee shop.

She was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she worked countless hours serving on Altar and Rosary Society, teaching religious education, and helping with church finances. She also gave generously of her time and talents to many civic organizations in Ida Grove and Oskaloosa, helping with scholarship programs and RAGBRAI committees. She was a member of Chief Mahaska Questers and was involved in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oskaloosa.

Judy had many interests. She enjoyed playing cards, particularly euchre, and was known for playing a mean game of spoons with the grandchildren. She also liked gardening, flower arranging, golfing, collecting rocks, walking with friends, and going on Friday evening bicycle trips to the Pizza Hut in Ida Grove. She kept active in recent years attending Silver Sneaker and Drumming programs at the Mahaska County YMCA and became known as "The Drumming Lady" at Homestead of Oskaloosa. She found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, creating wonderful holiday experiences, attending their sporting events, and traveling with them. Most of all she loved to be sociable, and she delighted in hosting get-togethers at her home with family and friends. She had a knack for making everyone feel special.

Her family includes her son and his wife, John Blanco and Sharon Day of Boulder, CO, and their children, Nick (Kaylin) of Nanaimo, BC Canada and Graham of Boulder, CO; daughter and her husband Linda and Mike Clement of Windsor, CO, and her children Alex of Severance, CO, and Zach of Thornton, CO; son and his wife David and Dawn Blanco, and his children Angelina and Aiden of Colorado Springs, CO; and son and his wife, Matthew and Jill Blanco and their children Aubree and Carter of Oskaloosa, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Blanco on June 6, 2021; her parents; and three sisters, Patricia, Eileen, and Leah-Linda.

Visitation with the family present will be Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa. The family invites family and friends to pray the Rosary with them at 6 PM Thursday evening at the funeral chapel. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. A funeral mass will be held April 11, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ida Grove with a reception to follow. Visitation will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 9:00 to 10:00. A private burial with family will follow the reception at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Ida Grove.

Memorials may be made to Mahaska County YMCA or Ida Grove Recreation Center.