Blanche R. Dudek

Blanche R. Dudek, Green Bay, passed away February 17, 2023 with family at her side. She was born December 28, 1921 to the late Frank and Rose (Groblewski) Chilla in Sobieski, Wisconsin.

Blanche began her education at a one-room schoolhouse in the Town of Chase. The school consisted of eight grades, fifty to sixty children and one teacher. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1939 and chose a career in nursing, graduating from Bellin Hospital School of Nursing in 1943. She began her career in Chicago and loved nursing.

In December 1944, Blanche married Richard Dudek and moved to California. After two years away she returned to Wisconsin. She was employed at Bellin Hospital, where she worked for 30 years, until her retirement.

Blanche loved the outdoors, camping, fishing and gardening, especially taking care of her flowers. Her favorite activity was dancing, which she enjoyed until her early 90s. She also loved to travel, to sew, to bake and simply to have fun. Her motto was "You can't beat fun!" Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and extended family were her joy. She loved to tell stories about her childhood and her youth.

Blanche is a member of the Grace Lutheran Church and its Mission Sewing program, the Bellin College of Nursing Alumni, and Bellin Retirees. To keep in touch with her classmates, she organized her Pulaski High School Class Reunions annually from 1994 through 2011, their 72nd Reunion.

Survivors are a son Lee (Joyce) Dudek, Green Bay, a daughter Susan (Thomas Weiner) Dudek, Massachusetts, grandchildren: Adam (Jen) Dudek, Loveland, CO, Erin Dudek (Staci Janeshek) Minneapolis, Madeline Dudek, New York City, Stefan Weiner, New York City, Annabel Clark (Jim) and Caleb Weiner (Joana); great-grandchildren: Ainsley Dudek, Jakob Dudek, Violet Dudek, Harrison Clark, Ella Clark, Emma Clark, Lou Weiner and cousins. Predeceased family members include her parents, brothers, Norman Chilla and Lester Chilla, sisters-in-law: Irene Chilla and Geneva Chilla and an infant sister.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 321 S. Madison, Green Bay on Saturday, June 3, 2023 with friends and family visiting from 9:00 am until 11:00 am and a service to follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Larry Lange officiating. Inurnment will take place at Polish National Cemetery, Pulaski.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Blanche's memory to Bellin College for student scholarships. Gifts can be made online at www.bellincollege.edu/support/online-donations, by calling at 920-433-6654, or checks can be mailed to: Bellin College Advancement Department 3201 Eaton Rd Green Bay, WI 54311. Donations can also be made to Grace Lutheran Church by calling 920-432-0308 or checks can be mailed to the church at 321 S Madison St, Green Bay, WI 54301.