Blanche Marie Deetz

Blanche Marie Deetz

Naples - Blanche Marie Diehl (Skip) was born 2/28/1922 in Chicago, Illinois and passed peacefully away on 11/17/2019 in Naples, Florida. She lived most of her childhood in Waco, Texas, moving there when she was about five years old. It was at a Friday night dance that she met her future husband in Jacksonville, Florida. Hank, as his friends called him, told his best friend that he was going to marry her, and two days later he did. Henry Deetz and Blanche (Skip) Diehl were married on 3/9/1942. Hank was scheduled to go overseas shortly serving in both WWII and Korean Wars. The marriage lasted almost 60 years ending with Hank's death on 11/03/2001. He was the love of her life.

Growing up in Texas during the depression, Blanche had many stories to tell her children of hardship and perseverance. Blanche was a strong woman and determined to succeed despite having very little formal education. She went on to get her Cosmetologist license in California and Texas. She was a voracious reader and passed the love of reading to all her children and grandchildren.

Blanche is survived by; Ronald Fred Deetz and wife Cindy (Canada); daughter, Jacqueline Ann (Deetz) Rothe and son-in-law Jeffrey W. Rothe (FL). Her son Henry Harry Deetz, Jr. pre-deceased her many years ago. She has seven grandchildren: Karin (Deetz) and husband Jay Melampy (CA); Shauna Deetz (deceased), Ronald Deetz, Jr. and wife Katrin; Jacqueline Deetz (HI); Michael Deetz (CA); Dr. Jami (Rothe) Kinnucan and husband Judson (MI) and Jonathan Rothe and wife Brittany (IL). Blanche also has four great grandchildren: Aidan Deetz (HI), Emma Deetz (CA), Chloe Kinnucan (MI) and Camden Rothe (IL).

Blanche loved to dance, exercise, read, cook and paint. Being an army wife, she moved quite often with Hank. While Hank was stationed in Hawaii, she took up hula dancing. She went on to teach the dance when she returned to the States. She could still hula until the last few years. After Hank retired from the Army, they owned several businesses in southern California.

She remained strong, feisty and independent until her final days. The family is happy that Hank and Blanche are finally re-united and dancing together. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.