Mary Blanshan

Mary Catherine Blanshan, age 70, of Baxter and formerly of Mankato, died Thursday, May 26, 2005 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd.



Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Burial will be in Minneopa Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.



Mary was born June 13, 1934 in Mankato to Milton and Myrtle (Cedardahl) Thamert. She graduated from Good Counsel Academy in 1952. On October 27, 1953, she was united in marriage to Harvey Blanshan at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato. They lived in Mankato, Battle Lake and Phoenix, AZ before moving to the Brainerd area in 2000. Mary worked as a research specialist for over 28 years for a government research program.



Mary had been active at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and has continued her strong Catholic faith. Mary was devoted to her family and spent time reading, fishing, crocheting, knitting and sewing. She adored and collected angels and teddy bears.



Mary is survived by her husband, Harvey of Baxter; five children, Terry Hopp, Robin Sorgenfrie and husband, Cory, Harvey Jay Blanshan Jr., Linda Blanshan all of Rochester, Michael Blanshan of Bloomington; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Tom Thamert and wife, Judy of Pittsburgh, Jack Thamert of Marco Island, FL; many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Bobby.