HOLTON- Blanche Arlene Area, 91, of Holton, KS passed away July 4, 2011 at Medicalodge Jackson County. She was born March 25, 1920 in Havensville the daughter of Ira H. and Jennie Stewart (Scott) Haber.
Blanche had lived in Holton since 1984 and had previously lived in Soldier. She worked at the Slimaker Dress Factory in Holton for many years. Blanche and her husband, Claude then owned and operated Area Upholstery; Blanche had worked there for 27 years until her retirement. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Maple Grove Club, 4-Seasons Garden Club and was past president of Christian Singles Group.
She married Claude Ray Area on January 24, 1937 in Manhattan. He preceded her in death on April 20, 1982. She was also preceded by two sisters, Bernice Springer and Betty Jones and a brother, Calvin Haber.
Survivors include two daughters, Wilma Scheetz and her husband Don of Topeka, KS and Betty Bernritter and her husband Jack of Havensville, KS; five sons, Donald Area and his wife R.Meta of Havensville, KS, William Area and his wife Sharon of Overton, NE, Robert Area and his wife Henriette of Mayetta, KS, Richard Area and his wife Judy of Boise, ID, Jack Area and his wife Mary Lou of Topeka, KS; three sisters, Hazel Reese of Overland Park, KS, Doris McMullen of Show Low, AZ, Dorothy Ashley of Phoenix, AZ; a brother, Robert Haber of Scottsdale, AZ; 20 grandchildren and many great and great- great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2011 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment will be in the Soldier Cemetery. Family will greet friends 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Holton Hospital Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.