Emma Jean Blank

Emma Jean Blank, 89, of West Des Moines passed peacefully Friday, July 1, 2022 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center surrounded by her three children. Memorial services will be held on October 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church with a private committal at Resthaven Mausoleum in West Des Moines.

Emma was born January 12, 1933 in Garnavillo, IA, to parents Jesse and Geneva (Moore) Slaughter. Most of her childhood was spent in McGregor, IA. She attended school and graduated in 1950 from McGregor Public School. She went to Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA, and earned a two-year Teaching Certificate in 1952. While at Upper Iowa, she was on the debate team and was a member of Pi Kappa Delta. She was also the Art Editor of the college yearbook, The Peacock. She taught school in Stanley, IA (7th grade), Waterville, IA (5th grade) and Hayfield, IA (2nd/3rd combination class).

Emma Jean married the love of her life, Sylvester Gene Blank on October 2, 1953 at the United Methodist Church in McGregor, IA. She later moved to Killeen, TX, to be with her husband who was in the military. While there, she worked as office manager for Central Freight Lines in Killeen.

Emma and Sylvester moved to Iowa City in 1956, where she taught for the University of Iowa at the Hospital School for Severely Handicapped Children. Their first child was born in Iowa City in 1956, a girl, Jonell Ann.

When Sylvester finished his Masters Degree at the University of Iowa, they moved to Des Moines, IA. Emma Jean worked as a teacher while she completed her Bachelors and Masters Degrees at Drake University. She taught school in Des Moines for 28 years with 23 of those years at Cattell Elementary School. She retired in 1998 with fond memories of her teaching years.

Emma enjoyed bicycling with her husband and they would log many miles each summer. Together they traveled the world from the Great Barrier Reef to the Pyramids of Giza and all continents except Antarctica. Emma loved reading as evidenced by her book log of nearly 2,000 books. She was a life long teacher and learner and couldn’t drive by a school without wondering if there was a class she might teach or take! She also enjoyed drawing and painting, working in her flower gardens, working at general elections and belonging to various social groups. She volunteered with the Des Moines Civic Ballet. She was a member and past president of Alpha Delta Kappa honorary society for women educators, enjoyed monthly meetings with former Cattell teachers, CPA Auxiliary group and Grace United Methodist Women.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Geneva Slaughter; brothers, Jim, Clair, Bill and Scott; sisters, Bernis, and Lulubelle. Emma Jean is survived by her beloved husband, Sylvester G. Blank; daughters, Jonell (Mark Clardy) of Austin, TX and Judy Blank (Tom Sawyer) of Des Moines, IA; son, Neil D. Blank (Margaret) of Boulder, CO; grandchildren, Geneva Clardy Baker, Jesse Blank, Abbie Sawyer (great grandchildren Emily and Leo), and Jacob Sawyer; two brothers, Bud Slaughter (Shelby) and Daniel Slaughter; and many nephews and nieces.