Janette Blanchard

    Janette A. (Dickerson) Blanchard, 65, of Newton, Iowa, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, in Newton. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Jan. 18, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton.  Burial was at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa. Memorials may be given to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Hospice of Jasper County.
    Janette was born Sept. 25, 1942 in Webster City, Iowa, the daughter of Lawrence and Lucille (Murphy) Dickerson.   She grew up in the Clear Lake/Mason City area, graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1961. She married Paul G. Blanchard on Jan. 4, 1964 in Mason City.                        
   Janette moved to Newton in 1965 and worked as a nurse’s aide for 18 years. After retiring from the hospital, she worked at the Hallmark store.
   Janette was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She enjoyed knitting, planting and tending to her flowers, and reading. She and her husband grew vegetables and had a large garden. She also enjoyed traveling with her family.    Survivors include her son, Paul A. (Kelly) Blanchard of Newton; two daughters, Anna (Larry) Pietz of Newton, and Sharon (Brian) Mumm of Bloomington, Wis.; four grandchildren, Margaret Ann and James Michael Pietz, and Nicholas Brian and Logan Thomas Mumm; a brother, Gary (Susan) Dickerson of Eldora, Iowa; sister, Connie (Don) Roberts of Waverly, Iowa; her special friend, Marlys Strike; and many nieces and nephews.
    Janette was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul in 2003; brother, Larry Dickerson; sister, Kaye Trampel; and nephews, Darren Dickerson and Blake Blanchard.