Mary Constance Blackburn

Mary Constance Blackburn, 94, died peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2013 at St. Francis Home, where she had lived for the past 3 years. She was born in Fond du Lac on May 1, 1918, the daughter of John and Marguerite (Kuharske) Fritz.  On May 10, 1946 she married Ray C. Blackburn at Immanuel Trinity Lutheran Church.

 

Mary was a graduate of Fond du Lac High School and a 1939 graduate of Oshkosh State Teachers College.  She completed graduate studies at Northwestern University, Marian College, and UW-Oshkosh.   She taught in the Fond du Lac public schools until retiring in 1983. She was a member of Immanuel Trinity Lutheran church, and was active in local and state education associations.

 

Mary loved canoeing, reading, golfing, and winning at cards, but most of all she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who gave unselfishly to her family.

 

Survivors include four children:  Carol (Scott) Wilson of Urbandale, Iowa; Connie Doern of Urbandale, Iowa; Linda (Duane) Kramer of Appleton, Wisconsin; Bruce (Eileen) Blackburn of Fond du Lac.  She is also survived by six grandchildren: Colin Wilson, Jeremy (Camille) Wilson, Meghan Wilson, Kerry (Joe) Scherer, Amanda Blackburn, and Justin Blackburn, and four great granddaughters:  Olivia and Aubrey Scherer and Ellen and Emilie Wilson

 

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her parents; a sister, Irene Sieber; and a brother, Victor Fritz.

 

Her children wish to express their sincere appreciation for the dedicated, compassionate care she received at St. Francis Home and from Hospice Hope.

 

Friends may call from 1:00 to 2:00 Friday at the St. Francis Home Chapel. A service will be held there at 2:00, with interment to follow at Rienzi Cemetery.