Obituary of Blanche Elizabeth Crews

Funeral services for Blanche E. Crews, 81, will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 Monday, July 19, at the funeral home. As an expression of sympathy, memorials in Blanche's name are being designated to Hospice of Jasper County or to the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure. Blanche Elizabeth Crews, the daughter of Bert and Ethel (Reed) Breen, was born July 20, 1928, near Monroe, Iowa. She attended school in rural Monroe, Frogpond Country School. On January 14, 1948, Blanche was united in marriage with Charles William Crews in Knoxville, Iowa. Since 1955, they have made their home in the Newton area. She devoted her life to her family and friends, and was of the Methodist Faith and enjoyed reading. Blanche died on Saturday morning, July 17, 2010, in the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center in Newton. She was preceded in death by her parents; son Gregory Charles Crews; a granddaughter Jill Alicia Crews; her sister Henreitta Spoelstra; and brother Bert Breen, Jr. Those left to honor Blanche's memory include her husband Chuck of Newton; her son and daughter-in-law: Gary Duane and Debi Crews of West Des Moines, IA; two grandchildren: Aaron Crews of Boone, IA and Jennifer & Joe Cason of West Des Moines; two sisters: Anna Mae (Merle) Vickroy of Knoxville, IA and Margaret Klein of Monroe; many nieces and nephews; and her many good friends. Calling hours will be Monday, Visitation with the family will be from 5 - 7pm at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10:30 at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, with Pastor Gary Marzolf officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton on Tuesday.