Blanche Stratmann Rehling

On January 30, 2018, Blanche Stratmann Rehling, 97, passed away at Reflections of Garden Place in Columbia, Illinois.

Blanche was born in Glennonville, Missouri on January 8, 1921. Her parents moved to rural Millstadt and farmed a vegetable truck garden, selling their produce at Soulard Farmers Market in St. Louis.

Blanche married Edward Rehling August 22, 1946 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Paderborn, Illinois. They lived in Millstadt, Illinois and enjoyed 56 years of marriage until his death on August 2, 2002.

Blanche worked at First National Bank of Millstadt for 24 years as assistant cashier and secretary to the president. She was a pianist and organist for St. James Catholic Church for over 20 years. She was a member of St. James Perpetual Help Sodality. She sewed over 500 quilt tops and helped quilt them with the St. James quilters, helping to support St. James School. She also quilted at Concordia United Church of Christ and at Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt. She was a member and past president of Millstadt Civic Club.

Blanche loved sewing for her family and started designing her own clothing in her 70s. She enjoyed rug making, flower arranging, bread making and cake decorating. She was an avid reader, especially of non-fiction. She was known also for her homemade chocolate covered cherries and the jokes she told at quilting.

Blanche was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, Edgar and Mary Stratmann, her brother, Wilfred Stratmann, a brother and sister in infancy and beloved grandsons, Benjamin Becker and Michael Lee Becker II.

She is survived by her daughters, Clara (Jon) Edd, Ellen Becker (Randy) Law and son, John (Pam) Rehling, her grandchildren, Jon (Lisa) Edd II, Eric (Samatha) Edd, Samantha Edd (Chris) Cummiskey, Andrew (Gurya) Edd, Jenn Becker (Aaron) Ringer, Max (Amanda) Rehling, Gwen Rehling and great-grandchildren, Zoe, Isaac, Moses, Peter, Allison, William, Hunter, Vivienne and great-granddaughter, Ringer and great-granddaughter Cummiskey, both arriving soon. She is also survived by her dear sister, Ruth Berkel.

Special thanks to the staff of Garden Place Senior Living in Millstadt and Reflections of Garden Place in Columbia for the loving care you have given Blanche in such abundance.

Blanche was a kind and generous person who loved spending time with family and friends. Her smile could light up a room. We will cherish our memories of her in our hearts.

"A moms hug lasts long after she lets go." Author Unknown

Visitation is at Creason Funeral Home in Millstadt, Illinois on Monday, February 5, 2018 from 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt, Illinois, followed by interment in St. James Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to: Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois

3515 North Belt West

Belleville, Illinois 62226

And:

SAVE

3001 Save Road

Belleville, Illinois 62221