Blanche P. Richmond, a long time Kyle resident, passed away peacefully in her home on July 28, 2016 at the age of 98. At the time of her passing, she was attended by her niece, Jane H. Dooley, Katherine “Murphy” Nowaski and Trinky Craft.
Blanche was born April 21, 1918 on the Pelster farm near Raeville, NE. She graduated from St. Bonaventure’s School in Raeville, NE and worked at Andreas Department Store in Petersburg, NE, as a supervisor at Wolbachs Department Store in Grand Island, NE and also worked quality control for United Airlines in Cheyenne, WY.
Blanche met a very handsome Army Officer, Wallace Richmond and they were married on December 29, 1945 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Blanche and Wallace move to Kyle, TX in 1950 and built their home on Center Street. They opened “The Gift Shop” located on the corner of Front & Center and retired after 26 years. Their store was famous for the silk flower arrangements that Blanche and her staff created, wedding registries and gifts for all occasions.
Blanche loved the city of Kyle and always had new ideas on how to promote the town. She assisted in creating the Kyle Library and the Kyle Library Thrift Shop, as well as many other town projects. She was also active in the growth of St. Anthony Marie de Claret Catholic Church and helped organize the Ladies Altar Society. Blanche loved to quilt and donated numerous quilts she made to St. Anthony Church for fundraising events.
Blanche and Wallace loved to travel and she continued to do so after Wallace passed away in 2004. Blanche had travelled to all 50 states (some of them numerous times) and visited many European countries.
In addition to her sister, Bernice Henninger of Sun City West, AZ, Blanche is survived by nieces and nephews: Hermine Loghry of Chadron, NE, Vincent Euse of Carson City, NV, Raymond Pelster of Vernonia, OR, Leo Pelster of Cornelius, OR, Theresa Carter of Cornelius, OR, Dolores Ashenberner of Beaverton, OR, Sister Josephine Pelster, SSMO of Beverton, OR, Catherine Maney of The Dalles, OR, Cecilia De Clerck of Redmond, OR, Agnes Abel of Gaston, OR, Judi Stefanek of Tuson, AZ, Janet Vall of Tucson, AZ, Joette Pelster of Kansas, MO, Jane H. Dooley of Kyle, TX, David Henninger of Minden, NV, Jane Benasutti of Austin, TX, Claire Atkins of Grand Junction Colorado, Tom Richmond II of Rockwall, TX, Susan Bryce of Austin, TX, 66 loving grandnieces and nephews, 98 great-grandnieces and nephews and 4 great-great-grand nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Trinky Craft, Katherine “Murphy” Nowaski and Pete Perez who have assisted Blanche through the years.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at Pennington Funeral Home in San Marcos, TX. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Marie de Claret Catholic Church in Kyle, TX. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Anthony Marie de Claret Catholic Church Building Fund or the Kyle Public Library.
