Blanche Delores Picka

Blanche Delores Picka of St. Paul passed away on January 3, 2015 at United Hospital in St. Paul. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at the church. Burial will be held along side of her husband at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Montgomery.

Blanche was born June 17, 1925 to James and Bessie (Shetka) Wondra in Montgomery Township. She attended Rural School District 26 and Montgomery High School. Upon graduation, she attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis and thereafter she worked at Spors, Inc. in Le Center, Minnesota.

Blanche and her husband George corresponded during World War II and after the war ended, they married on November 27, 1946 and made their home in St. Paul. They loved each other for 64 � years in marriage and 2 years before marriage. They were so happy together. After her marriage, she worked as a Secretary for State Farm Insurance in the Claims Division serving Montana, North and South Dakota for eleven years. After the company moved out of state, she worked for the State of Minnesota, Driver's License Division, and St. Paul Public Schools in the Early Childhood Program and Monroe High School Library. She retired in 1991.

While living in St. Paul, Blanche and family often went home to the farm on weekends to be with family. Blanche, George and her children loved the farm.
She loved traveling, gardening, canning, reading, sewing and crocheting. Travel included all 50 states and 30 countries always with her husband, George and her children. While traveling in the states, her little dog, Rufus, traveled with her because she never left anyone behind.

Blanche is survived by children, Katherine "Kitty" Josephine (Clayton Zimmerman), of Arden Hills, and twins, Constance "Connie" Marie (Ronald Brastad) of Rosemount and David Michael Picka (Kathy) of Mosinee, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Kimberly (Adam Smith), Melinda (Dan Parker), Michael and Mariah Picka; and four great grandchildren, Kaia Maye and Alton Eric Smith and twins Audrey Vanessa and Lucas Joseph Parker (and another great grandchild Parker on the way).

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George, on August 13, 2011; her parents James and Bessie Wondra; brothers, Harry, Clarence and Arthur; and a baby sister.

Arrangements are with the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. www.schoenbauerfuneralhome.com. 507-364-7929.