Natalie T. Blanke

Natalie Blanke (n e Thu Dang), age 61, of Plymouth, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice after a lingering battle with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), with her loving husband Jeff at her side.
Natalie was born in Saigon, Vietnam and was the daughter of the late Xuan Dang and the late Hue (n e Lam) Dang, and she along with her parents and six siblings immigrated to Sheboygan in 1975 where she attended Urban Middle school and graduated from North High School in 1981. Later, she would earn a Marketing Degree from Lakeshore Technical College and a Bachelor s Degree in Business Administration from Lakeland University.
In 1991, Natalie married Jeff Blanke at Salem United Church of Christ in Plymouth. Together, they would raise three darling poodles and would reside in the Town of Plymouth and enjoy 31 beautiful years together.
After graduating from college, she pursued careers in Banking (holding positions as Teller, Loan Officer and Branch Manager) and later Manufacturing (as an Assistant Buyer, Purchasing Agent, and finally as a Materials Coordinator) and recently retired from the Kohler Company. In addition to her full-time jobs, Natalie was a very busy person, teaching Spin Classes at North High, the YMCA, and for the Plymouth Rec Department. She also spent much of her free time as a baker for her Cake Crafted for You small business venture, making delicious cakes, cupcakes and cookies for her Kohler network of ladies and others.
However, her real passion was running. Natalie would run early in the morning before work, during lunch breaks, and then later after work. She was always training for the next Full or Half Marathon. Amongst her running accomplishments, she ran Boston, New York City, Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee Marathons, and dozens and dozens of Half Marathons, with her greatest feat of finishing in second place two years in a row running the Women s Running Magazine Half Marathon in St. Petersburg, FL.
Natalie is survived by her husband Jeff, five sisters and brothers: Trang (Craig) Johnson of Henderson, NV, Thusuong Dang-Grauman (special friend John Hodzinski) of Sheboygan, Thao Tang of West Dundee, IL, Hung (Katie) Dang of Denver, CO, and Khanh (Kris) Dang of Oostburg. She is further survived by her loving nieces & nephews, and other relatives and close friends; and finally, by her two dogs: Sammy and Bella.
In addition to her parents, Natalie was preceded in death by one sister, Thuy Wright.
A celebration of Natalie s life will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022, at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth. Visitation will take place from 2:00-4:00 p.m. with a prayer service to follow at 4:00 p.m. Rev. James Hoppert, Pastor of Salem U.C.C. in Plymouth, will officiate.