Blanche C. Mack, 89, Dickinson, died on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at her home. Blanche’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Ryan Martire as celebrant. Inurnment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m. with Deacon Leonard Krebs presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass.
Blanche Catherine Ridl was born February 3, 1935, in New Hradec, to Joe V. & Lillian M. (Svoboda) Ridl. She resided on the family farm, attended schools in New Hradec, graduated from Dickinson High School and attended Dickinson State College.
Blanche married Donald E. Mack, her high school sweetheart on October 27, 1954. Donald preceded Blanche in death on November 16, 2001. They lived on Army bases in Anchorage, AK & Tacoma, WA prior to settling in Dickinson to grow and raise their family. They enjoyed traveling across this beautiful country, pulling their RV trailer.
In retirement Blanche spent winters in Yuma, AZ, soaking up the sun and enjoying great friendships. She even took home several shuffleboard trophies! Her favorite room in her home in Dickinson was a sun room. She watched her favorite shows and was an avid book reader, mostly fiction and history. She was and avid puzzler, also knitted many beautiful blankets and functional items over the years. She enjoyed working as a clerk and bookkeeper in various places in Dickinson. She also volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Blanche was very smart, very interested in current events and was wonderful to talk to about all kinds of topics.
She is survived by only two of her five children, Natalie (Monte) Geldern and Marti (Fiona) Mack; daughter-in-law, Mary Mack; and son-in-law John Duryea. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ridl and Eileen (Mack) Rouse; 11 grandchildren, Joseph Mack, Elizabeth Mack, Heather (Mack) Stroud, James Geldern, Justin Duryea, Ross Duryea, Casey (Duryea) Hehrer, Shauvonne (Cardona) Krehlik, Maritza Mack-Simmons, Journey Mack and Georgia Blakesley; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren are grieving the loss of a loving mother/grandmother.
Blanche’s three children who preceded her in death are Leonard “Lenny” H. Mack, Sheela Duryea and Shelly Cardona.
Blanche was a loving and kind person and will be deeply missed by anyone who knew her!