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Nancy Blank
NANCY DELORES BLANK
Vinton
Nancy Delores Blank, 88, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, following a seven-year battle with multiple myeloma.
Private family services will be held.
Nancy was born Sept. 23, 1929, in Bethlehem, Pa., to Roland and Julia Zweifel. Nancy attended Central Catholic High School in Allentown, Pa., and upon graduation, she opened "Miss Nancy's School of Dancing," teaching classical, modern, tap and jazz.
Nancy met Vince Blank on a blind date when Vince was on leave from the Navy. Vince was serving overseas, so they corresponded via letters for two years, during which time he proposed and Nancy accepted.
Following their marriage on July 5, 1952, Vince continued his Navy career, and together they traveled extensively and raised six children. After Vince's retirement from the military, they settled in Vince's hometown of Vinton, Iowa.
Their travel with the American Legion took them many places, including Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and Australia. They then began full-time traveling in their motorhome, hosting in campgrounds from Key West, Fla., to Alaska.
Nancy was a member of the George G. Luckey American Legion Women's Auxiliary and Navy Mothers.
Nancy was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Nancy is survived by her six children, Jill (John) Gualtier, Jan (Dan) Knaack, Julia (Jerry) Meadows and Jennifer (Brian) Parr, all of Vinton, Verne (Tammy) Blank of Belle Plaine and Joseph (Dominique) Blank of Iowa City; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 59 years, Vince, on Sept. 8, 2011; a daughter in infancy; her brother, Eugene; and her brother-in-law, Verne.
The family wishes to extend a thank-you to the following for taking care of Nancy: Dr. Brian Meeker and staff, Dr. Jasmine Nabi and staff, and the staff of Hospice of Mercy, especially Deb Ridder, RN.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Nancy and her family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.
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