Blanche Arlene McCall

Blanche Arlene McCall, 91 of Strasburg was born August 9, 1925 and passed away December 16, 2016. Blanche was the oldest of 7. She had a lot of responsibility at age 11 after her mother died leaving 7 children on a Kansas farm. She quickly learned to cook and care for kids. Despite the added responsibility she graduated in 1943 from Belleville High School. After a divorce, she courageously moved herself and 3 children to Colorado where she met her lifelong companion and husband of 61 years, Leo McCall. Together they raised 8 children. Blanche and Leo loved to travel using tents, RV's, and motorcycles throughout the years and the kids were always included. She had been to most states in the USA including Alaska and Hawaii. Her great stories about their travels brought smiles and laughter but it was no secret that her heart was always in Kansas. After the kids were grown Leo and Blanche sold the Colorado house and moved to Courtland Kansas where they lived for 17 years. Blanche and Leo were very happy there but in 2012 Leo died. The tri-level house was too big for one person in her 80's, so she reluctantly left Kansas to be closer to family. Determined to remain independent, she rented her own place near family in the small town of Strasburg, Colorado. She worked for Gates Rubber Company, Russell Stovers Candies, Demo'd samples in grocery stores, and enjoyed a career as the Lead Nutritionist for the Head Start program. In her later years she was the oldest greeter at a store in Concordia, KS, until she decided to stay home to care for her ailing husband. She was a true people person who seemed to gather friends everywhere she went. Her hobbies included watching (and yelling at) sports on TV. Favorites included Nascar racing, Tennis, Golf, and Football. She enjoyed reading, collecting Roosters, and worrying about her family. She had a lot of fun meeting family for light gambling on penny machines in Laughlin, Las Vegas, Sac-n-Fox, or Black Hawk. She is preceded in death by her husband Leo, her son Leo Jr., her brother Stanley Hess, and sisters Laura Nekvinda, & Betty Allen. Blanche had 8 kids, 22 grandkids, and 29 great grandkids. She truly cared and worried about each member of her family and many were in contact with her daily or weekly. Blanche also enjoyed visiting with her sisters Gladys Moline, Ardith Stone and her brother Fred Elyea. She is survived by her children, Ed Carlson, Sandy Sivets, Ron Carlson, James McCall, Rob McCall, Deb Garner, and Karen Smith as well as many grandkids and great grandkids. She will be cremated and buried with her husband at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Services are planned for early August 2017 at Fort Logan and a celebration of her life will follow. Please give your condolences to the McCall family.