Blanche Marie Stadheim

Blanche Marie Stadheim, age 100, of Lyle, Minnesota, passed away on the morning of November 19th, 2024. Blanche went to be with her folks, husband and son in heaven. She died in the arms of her daughter which was a familiar place for her. 

Blanche was born on May 7, 1924, to Harry George and Agnes Josephine (Junek) Voelker on their farm in Havana Township, Steele County, Minnesota. She remained an only child because they knew they got the best the first time. Blanche went to country school in District 26 from kindergarten to 8th grade. She went to Owatonna High School in 9th grade where she stayed until she graduated in 1942. Blanche worked for Owatonna Tool, Josten’s, and Security National Bank in Owatonna after graduation. 

In 1946, she met Edward Josef Stadheim on a blind date and instantly fell for his bright blue eyes, beautiful head of hair and his contagious smile. On June 4th, 1948, they were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Owatonna, MN. They moved to Albert Lea, MN where Blanche worked at the ASCS bank in the post office. After 3 years in Albert Lea, they moved to Lyle Minnesota, where she resided until 2017 when she moved to her apartment at Homestead in Rochester to be closer to her daughter Kris. While in Lyle, Blanche worked at the Farmers State Bank. When they inquired about adopting children, she had to quit her job to be eligible. Edward and Blanche had an acreage that they farmed and also raised sheep. Since Edward was a plumber and steamfitter at Hormel, a lot of the sheep raising became Blanche’s job which she enjoyed and was good at. Edward and Blanche enjoyed old time music and dancing. Most weekends were spent listening to polka bands and dancing. They enjoyed their road trips and vacations to Edward’s WWII reunions. 

Edward and Blanche adopted two children, Darwin David Stadheim in 1959 and Kris Ann Stadheim in 1961. The four of them quickly became a team who worked together on the farm, went to church together, enjoyed every Saturday night with pizza, Pepsi, Lawrence Welk and Hee Haw. They also went on fishing vacations every year. Blanche loved her family, God, friends, and kittens. She filled her time with jigsaw puzzles, fishing, polka music, and dancing. She also enjoyed playing cards, Mexican train, and watching the Twins and Vikings. 

Blanche is survived by her daughter Kris Stadheim (Mark Ahle) of Rochester. Her loving grandchildren Jason (Jenni) Lundberg, Ryan (Amanda) Lundberg, Lindsey York, Jordan Unger, Joey (Katie) Stadheim, Joshua (Ashley) Stadheim. Great grandchildren, Erica, Brayden, Kylie, Kamren, Austin, Braelyn, Emeri, Reagan, Hunter, Declan, Asher and Hayden. Brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, special nieces and nephews, many other relatives and close friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Agnes Voelker, husband Edward in 2014, son Darwin in 2021, brothers and sisters-in-law and cousins. 

A heartfelt thank you to all of her wonderful friends from Lyle and her newer friends from Homestead who were such a wonderful help to her. A special thank you to Dr. Aoun and the Palliative Care Staff at Mayo. A huge thank you for the support from Season’s Hospice.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2nd, 2024, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lyle, with Pastor Scott Meyer officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 1st, 2024, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. The family suggests memorials to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lyle. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.