Lorraine Blank

Date of Birth

Feb 11,1927

Date of Death

Nov 13,2017

Lorraine Blank, age 90, of Elburn, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Monday evening, November 13, 2017 at Bethany Healthcare Center, where she had recently made her home.
She was born on February 11, 1927, in Chicago to proud parents, Henry and Clara (Tessman) Ficht.
Lorraine grew in Jefferson Park, Chicago, under careful watch of Clara, who was known to keep tabs on the neighborhood, sitting on her stoop, complete with binoculars.
Lorraine attended local schools and graduated from Carl Schultz High School with the class of 1945. In addition to her diploma, Lorraine began a lifelong love of bowling, a penchant for horseracing alongside her dad and broke more than a few hearts as well.
On June, 29, 1950, Lorraine was united in marriage to Hans “Duke” Blank at Port Hueneme, CA. Although Lorraine and Duke grew up just blocks from each other, it wasn’t until one fateful day Lorraine bumped into Duke at a local tavern while he was on leave. They began their new life together in Chicago where they were eventually blessed with five children. They moved to Glendale Heights in 1965. After all the kids were grown with children of their own, Duke and Lorraine moved to Elburn in 1994.
Lorraine was a youth bowling coach alongside Duke and in her early years, she was a fixture at nearly every one of her kid’s activities.
Lorraine was a dedicated and loving mom who made it her job to fulfill all the needs of the family and home, including handing out punishments with the infamous “wooden spoon”. Both Duke and Lorraine had a wandering soul and they loved to travel, eventually visiting every state in the union with the exception of Alaska. In later years, she volunteered at Wasco Elementary when her grandchildren attended and was always the grandkids biggest cheerleader at every event. Dogs may be man’s best friend, but Lorraine could give them a run for their money. Her heart always had a special place for her pups, especially German Shepherds, but most recently Butkus, a 120 lb Labrador and American Bulldog mix held the mantle as her favorite. Lorraine’s sense of humor was one of a kind and always held court when she put on her dancing shoes. She will be missed by many, but the Heavenly reunion with Duke will be one for the ages.
Lorraine is survived by four children: Michael (Cindy) Blank, Matthew (Barbara) Blank, Patrick (Martha) Blank, and Lois (James) Banovz; eight grandchildren: Jeffrey (Sarah) Blank, David Blank, Christina (J.D.) Stedman, Sophia Blank, James (Lauren) Banovz, Matthew (Caiti) Banovz, Daniel (Lindsay) Banovz, and Samantha Banovz; One great-grandson, James Banovz; two siblings: Rita Twinn and Virginia Sipiora; many nieces, nephews and a family of friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Clara Ficht; loving husband Hans “Duke” Blank; their daughter, Clare Ann;
Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. with a wake service at 10 a.m., on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Rd, Elwood, IL 60421.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Lorraine’s name. Checks may be made to the “Lorraine Blank Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A wake service at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119

Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m.on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119

Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Rd, Elwood, IL 60421.

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