Norma Jean (Garman) Blew

Norma Jean Blew, 79, of Mankato, Kansas, died March 10, 2012, at the Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Kansas, after an extended illness.

Jean, the eldest of five children, was born on August 28, 1932, on the family farm east of Burr Oak, Kansas, to Robert and Helen (Miller) Garman. She attended Fairview Grade School and graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1950. She was united in marriage to Richard E. Biss and to this union was born two children – Linda Susan and Larry Michael. She was later united in marriage to Merle O. Blew on November 10, 1956. To this union was born one son, Mark Allen.

The young family moved to Pittsburg, where Merle attended Pittsburg College. They returned to Jewell County, where they purchased the local blacksmith shop, which became Mankato Welding and Machine. In addition to raising her family, she was the bookkeeper for the family business for the next 46 years. She was also active with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and served as a den mother. She was a member of Harmony United Methodist Church for 51 years, having at one time served on the church board, Jr. Clio Club, Sarah Circle and Jewell County Historical Society.

Jean was an avid gardener, a skilled seamstress and quilter, loved making arts and crafts, collected porcelain dolls and angels, and became a very talented oil painter. Her landscapes have been passed down to her children and grandchildren. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and was thrilled to welcome into her life five great-grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 53 years, Merle in 2010; her son Mark in 2009; and her son-in-law, Don Beckwith, in 2008.

Survivors include her devoted children – Linda Beckwith, Manhattan, Kansas, and Larry Blew of Formoso, Kansas; two grandsons – Jeremy and wife Trinette Page and children – Shelby, Mason, and Brody of Joplin, Missouri, and Nathan Page and his children – Gram and Spencer of Manhattan, Kansas; and her siblings – Bobby and wife, Hazel Garman of Guide Rock, Nebraska, ; Danny Garman of Burr Oak, Kansas, Virginia and husband Dave Pettit of Mankato, Kansas, Sandra and husband, Jon Adams of St. Paul, Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews. Jean also leaves behind the respect and friendships of many friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, March 15, 2012, at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Mrs. Pat Grout will be the organist, and Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle the soloist. The hymns will be “Precious Lord take My Hand” and “The Anchor Holds.” Inurnment will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas, beside her husband and son. The family suggests memorials to Harmony United Methodist Church. Friends are invited to sign the register book on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary. Service arrangements were made with Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas.