Blakenship services

Mrs. Blakenship died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at Alterra Sterling House.

She was born Oct. 1, 1927, in Atchison, the daughter of John and Florence (Byrne) Kane. She grew up in the St. Patrick community, south of Atchison, and attended St. Patrick Catholic High School.

Mrs. Blakenship worked at Baldwin High School. In 1978 she started working for King Radio in Ottawa, from which she retired in October 1992. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

She married Thomas J. Blakenship on Sept. 2, 1959, in Kansas City, Kan. They later divorced.

Survivors include two daughters, Sandy Bruhns, Lawrence, and Judy Kennedy, Kansas City, Kan.; a stepdaughter, Cheryl Savala, Kansas City, Kan.; three brothers, Donald Kane, John Kane and Eugene Kane, all of Atchison; four sisters, Lorene Clemens Boos and Margie Swendson, both of Atchison, Mary Lou Andre, Kansas City, Kan., and Patricia Rush, Leavenworth; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

An infant son and a stepdaughter, Linda Blakenship, died earlier.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday. Family will greet friends after the rosary at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to Alzheimer’s Assn. or Lawrence Senior Center Adult Day Care Program, sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.