Blanche M. Piepkow

Blanche M. Piepkow, age 88, a life long resident of Olivet passed away Saturday, July 8, 2017 on the family farm. She was born December 31, 1928 on the farm the first of 5 daughters to William Clair and Lena Mae (Hisler) Lake. She married Paul Piepkow on December 31, 1946. They settled on the farm where they would spend the rest of their lives together. As a farmer and farmers wife, she milked cows, showed their Jerseys at the state and local shows, drove tractor, kept the account books and records, kept up the correspondence, pedigree work, fed hired men, milk testers, harvesters and silo fillers, provided room and board for hired help, fed calves, cleaned milking equipment, had a garden, canned and froze the produce. When the children were in school, she was a room mother, PTA President, softball coach, bleacher sitter, and chauffeur. In the Lee Center United Methodist Church Blanche taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was the President of the United Methodist Womens Society, funeral dinner planner, CROP Drive Worker and Halloween planner for UMCOR and UNICEF drives. Blanche also belonged to the Michigan State University Presidents Club, Michigan and American Jersey Cattle Club. She served on the Vic Peterson Scholarship Committee and prepared the pedigrees and catalogs for the annual Michigan Jersey Sale for over 30 years. Blanche is survived by her children: Paul (Dianne) Piepkow Jr. of Olivet, Thomas (Patricia) Piepkow of Battle Creek, Mary (Joe) Barkley of Olivet, Jayne (Mark) Voss of Olivet; daughter-in-law Melanie Piepkow of Olivet; 15 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren and one on the way; 1 great great grandchild; sisters: Maudie (Al) Startup of Charlotte, Barbara Lake of Albion, Judith VanSickle of Marshall. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul D. Piepkow Sr. in 2007; son William Piepkow; brother Wayne Lake; sister Gerri Pridmore; and great grandson Willee Piepkow. Funeral services for Blanche will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 1 PM at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Dr. James M. Gysel officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. Those desiring may make contributions in Blanches memory to the Lee Center United Methodist Church.