Blanche A. Mayer, age 78, resident of Michigan, ND, died Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at her home in Michigan surrounded by her loving family.

Blanche Anna Pic was born January 1, 1929 in Perth Township of Walsh County, ND, the daughter of Frank and Minnie (Polak) Pic. She was raised on her parents farm and attended the Perth Township School. She then attended Whitman High School and Park River High School. Blanche married Roland Maresh in June of 1950 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Bechyne. They farmed in Perth Township until his death in a farming accident on May 9, 1956. She married Richard Mayer on July 23, 1957 at Lankin, ND. They farmed near Whitman, ND until his death on November 24, 1980. She continued living on the farm, where she enjoyed gardening and working in the yard. In September 2005 she moved into Michigan. Blanche loved playing cards with her sister Dorothy. She also loved visiting with family and friends, playing bunco, cooking, and baking; she always made sure to have bread and kolaches when she had visitors. Blanche was a member of the Michigan Bunco Club, the Whitman Tops Club for over 40 years, the Farmers Union Local Group, and the Michigan American Legion Auxiliary. Blanche always helped others whenever she could. She had many friends, young and old. She always had a smile on her face no matter what life dealt her, even when fighting her illness.

Blanche will be deeply missed by her 6 children, David (Barb) Maresh of Alexandria, MN, Debra (Allan) Anderson of Michigan, ND, Diana (Edwin) Pawlikowski of Lakota, ND, Donna Mayer of Michigan, ND, Dale Mayer of Michigan, ND, and Doris (Randy) Karas of Lakota, ND; 4 grandchildren, Melissa (Chad) Rader, Mike (Sarah) Anderson, Lisa Karas, and Adam Karas; 1 step-grandson, Mike Minor; 2 great-grandchildren, Axel Anderson and Gavin Rader; 1 sister, Dorothy Hodny of Grand Forks, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her 2 husbands.

The Funeral Mass for Blanche Mayer will be held at St. Lawrence O'Toole Catholic Church of Michigan, ND, on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. Celebrating the Mass will be Very Rev. Fr. Scott Sautner. Music will be provided by the St. Lawrence Church Choir and the St. Mary Church Choir. The organists will be Dolly Devlin and Barbara Johnson, and the soloist will be Jason Flom. Interment will be in the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Cemetery, Bechyne, rural Lankin, ND. Casketbearers will be Allan Anderson, Edwin Pawlikowski, Randy Karas, Mike Anderson, Brian Larson, and Randy Gunderson. Honorary bearers will be members of the Whitman Tops Club, the Michigan Bunco Club, and all of Blanche's family and friends. An Honor Guard will be provided by the Ladies Auxiliary of the W.L. Cowper American Legion Post #238 of Michigan. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND, on Friday, November 9, 2007 beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Church on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.