Fern Blazek

Fern M. (Child) Blazek, 92, of Gilman died July 28th, 2009, surrounded by her family at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center after a brief illness. A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorials may directed to the family. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . The Mitchell family Funeral Home is caring for Fern and her Family. Phone 641-844-1234. Fern was born August 18, 1916, in Parkersburg, Iowa to James Nekola and Mamie Bell Squires. She attended Tama Public School, graduating in the class of 1936. Fern married Joseph E. Child on January 22, 1937, in Tama, Iowa. Two children were born to this union. They resided on a farm northeast of Toledo. They later divorced and she married Frank Blazek. They were married seventeen years. Fern had worked for Montgomery Wards for 23 years, retiring in 1981, and then worked at Video Mart for 5 years. She was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, E.U.B. Church, Past President of the Queen Esther class, past chairman of the Rural Womens Extension Club, and a Mother Advisor of the Order of Rainbow for girls, in which she had been elected the Grand Cross of Color, which is their highest honor for which she was recognized for her distinguished services. Left to cherish Ferns memory are her children, J.J.(Barbara) Child of Laurel and Joan (Ron) Espe of Laurel; her five grandchildren, Lorrie Lynn (Patrick) Murphy of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Lanette Alderink of Laurel, Leigh Ann(Jeff) Walbaum of Story City, Iowa, Troy(Brittany) Child of North Branch, Minnesota and Marsha (Tom) Pawlak of Newburg and nine great-grandchildren. Fern was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mamie Bell, her husbands, Joseph E. Child, and Frank Blazek, and a brother, William Nekola.