TAMA- Blanche Albia Kalinay, age 88, a resident of Grandview Acres in Toledo and formerly of Tama, died Wednesday, April 18, 2007 in Grinnell Regional Medical Center due to a short illness. A Funeral Liturgy will be held Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be Friday, April 20, 2007 from 12 noon until 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with a Vigil Service at 7 PM. The family will be present 5-7 PM.
Blanche A. Kalinay was born on December 17, 1918, near Elberon, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Linhart) Hlas.
On June 16, 1941, she was united in marriage to Charles E. Kalinay at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vining, Iowa. Blanche helped her husband farm northeast of Toledo and after retiring in 1978, they moved to Tama. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tama and St. Theresa Circle. Blanche always had a large garden and enjoyed baking and quilting. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends and attending church activities.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Charles on September 4, 1989; one daughter, Joan Kalinay; two brothers, Milo Hlas and Charles Hlas Jr., and a son-in-law Ed Diggins.
Survivors include her children, Bernice Diggins of Marshalltown, Emil (Carol) Kalinay of Toledo, Bernie Kalinay of Toledo, Mary Ann Kalinay of Grand Island, NE, Betty (Gene) Vesely of Toledo, Rose (David) Hendrickson of Brooklyn, and Marlene (Don) Paustian of Toledo; ten grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial fund has been established.