Blanche Rose Blaser (Maruska)

About Blanche

Blanche Rose (Maruska) Blaser, age 83 of Princeton, MN passed away on Friday, April 5 th , 2024 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Blanche was born on February 23, 1941 in Bemidji, MN to parents Gilbert and Rose (Fisher) Maruska . She grew up on the family farm near Pine Bend where she enjoyed fishing, swimming in the river and just being with nature. Blanche attended grade school at the Pine Bend Country School. She was a member of the 1958 graduating class of Fosston High School.

In 1961, she married Leonard H. Blaser and lived in Andover, MN where they had 8 children together. Blanche worked at Honeywell in New Brighton, MN facility for 29-years. Blanche traveled the United States as an over-the-road truck driver with Transport America for 7-years when she retired after having open heart surgery.

Blanche enjoyed expressing her life through poetry. She shared her talent of crocheting through the many blankets, hats and scarfs she made for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. She also blessed many with the beautiful quilts she would make. Blanche enjoyed a game or two of bingo and frequent casino trips. Above all, Blanche enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Blanche loved Elvis and listening to all of his songs, especially her favorites, “I did it my way” and “If I can dream”. She absolutely enjoyed being serenaded to by an Elvis impersonator at her 83 rd birthday celebration. Days before her passing, Blanche shared her intent to “say hi to Jesus, talk with God and hug Elvis” when she arrived into heaven.

Blanche is survived by four daughters, Marcy (Todd) Dalen of Warroad, MN, Andrea Aukes of Hugo, MN, Terri (Bryan) May of Zimmerman, MN and Roberta (Todd) Gulickson of Zimmerman, MN; two sons, Richard (Angela) Blaser of Cedar, MN and Leonard Blaser, Jr. of Elk River, MN; son-in law, Blake Bakken of Cedar, MN; grandchildren, Tyler Bakken (Meghan), Suzan Dalen, Nicole Dalen, Jessica Blaser (Josh), Jared (Jade) Blaser, Daniel (Danielle) Blaser, Ashley Aukes, Amanda Aukes, Mariah (Conner) Swigart, Austin (Nicole) May, Ilea May, Keira Gulickson and Trent Gulickson; great grandchildren, Avery, Arianna, Addison, Garrett, Tate, Lacee, Genevieve, Luella, Delilah, Theodore, Raelyn & Teagan; sister, Margie Donnell of Fosston, MN; brother, Anthony (Patty) Maruska of Lengby, MN; and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Vickie Blaser; son, Michael Blaser; grandson, Ryan Bakken; two brothers, Donald Maruska and Wilfred Maruska; sister-in-law, Shirley (Sovick) Maruska; brother-in-law, Dick Donnell and her friend Don Taylor.

memorial service

Memorial Service

May 11, 2024

Christ Our Light Catholic Parish - North 804 7th Ave S, Princeton, MN 55371, USA

Visitation will begin at 10am

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services