Blanche Sikhart

Blanche M. Sikhart, age 92, of Lancaster, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2015, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home. She was born on December 10, 1923, in Glen Oaks/Montello, the daughter of William and Jennie (Crawford) Cotter. Blanche graduated from Montello High School. Her husband Bernard served his country in the United States Navy. Following his honorable discharge, he was employed at St. Mary's Hospital. It was there he met the love of his life, Blanche and on April 29, 1950, they were united in marriage at Montello. They resided in Waukesha for a short period of time before relocating to Lancaster in August of 1951 where Bernard purchased a barber shop and together raised three children: Patti, Tom, and Bill. Blanche both worked and volunteered at Lancaster Memorial Hospital. She later worked for many year as a teacher's aide at Winskill School and St. Clement Catholic School. Blanche was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church. She dearly loved keeping up with her family and their activities. For the past few years, Blanche resided at Orchard Manor where she made friends and enjoyed many activities.

Survivors include her children: Patricia (Al Klaas) Sikhart, Appleton; Thomas (Donna) Sikhart, Lake Mills; William (friend Barb Villwock) Sikhart, Allenton; three grandchildren: Jodie (Cory) Haseleu; Ben (Rhonda) Sikhart, and Kris Sikhart; three great-grandchildren: Autum and Owen Haseleu and Nate Hutchins; other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Bernard, Blanche was preceded in death by her brothers: Gerald, Leland, Earl, Dan, Stewart, Robert, and sister, Lillian "Babe."

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 26, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Lancaster. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Blanche M. Sikhart Memorial Fund has been established.

A special thanks to everyone at Orchard Manor, Dr. Eric Stader, Dr. Robert Smith, Grant County Hospice and Kim Martens, Bill Manthe and Father William Seipp.