H. Audene Blankenship

H. Audene Blankenship 88 of Lawson, MO died Tuesday 13, 2007 in Excelsior Springs Convalescent Center after a short illness. Cremation is planned with a memorial service to be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2007 at the Carson-Speaks Chapel. Inurnment will be in Floral Hills cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to the Excelsior Springs Medical Center Hospice 1700 Rainbow Blvd. Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 or the charity of the donor�s choice. Mrs. Blankenship was born on August 25, 1918 in Skiatook, OK, the oldest of 3 children, to James Wesley Overton and Grace Dell (Murphy) Graves. She graduated from Skaitook High School in 1935. She then worked in the School District Superintendents Office for one year before leaving for Independence, MO to start nurses training at the Independence Sanitarium & Hospital School of Nursing in 1936. She graduated with a RN degree in 1939. On November 5, 1939 she married Dalmer A. Blankenship at the Christian Church in Marshall, MO. She had been employed at Pratt-Whitney in the medical department, Independence Sanitarium and Hospital as a PRN and surgical nurse. She then took a job with Dr. Russell Etsenhouser. Upon his death Dr. Wallace Stacy took over the practice (Independence Women�s Clinic) and she became his nurse retiring in 1983. After retirement she volunteered at Independence Regional Hospital until 2000. She was an active member of New Walnut Park Community of Christ Church until her move to Lawson, MO in 2002. She will be remembered for her gentle nature, her love of football, and her dedication to her family and friends. She is survived by two sons; C. Gary Blankenship and wife Nora of Lawson, MO and James C. Blankenship of Arizona City, AZ; four grandchildren, Rebecca Ziltz of Barnhart, MO, John Blankenship of Georgetown, TX, Cody Blankenship of Lee�s Summit, MO and Tim Couch of Excelsior Springs, MO; four great grandchildren and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Dalmer on December 10, 1991; brothers, Leon Graves and Loren Graves; her parents and a granddaughter.