Edith L. Blank

Edith Louise Blank passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Wesley Willows Health Center in Rockford. She was born on June 24, 1921, in Lakewood, NJ, to Paul and Ruth (Ellms) Emerson. She grew up in Auburndale, MA. She had one brother, Joseph Emerson.

After high school in nearby Newton, she attended Bouve’ Boston School of Physical Education and graduated with a Certification in Physical Therapy in 1942. Edith then worked at the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, Franklin Roosevelt’s clinic for polio victims. It was there that she met Herbert Blank, who contracted polio while serving in the army during WWII. They were married in 1943 and moved to his home state of Illinois.

They had four children, Linda Rosquist, Woodstock, IL; Dianne (Phillip) Giovingo, Roscoe, IL; Cynthia (Curtis) Austin, Leoma, TN; and Christopher Blank, Hanover, MD. Edith has eight grandchildren, Christopher Scott Lund, Bret (Cindy) Lund, Jeffrey Staas, Christy Austin, Becky (David) Boyd, Shawn Austin, Brian (Loren) Blank, and Stephanie Blank. There are eight great grandchildren, and another great grandson expected in August of this year. Edith and her husband always felt that they raised their children in the best of all times. In 1955, they purchased a new non-air conditioned Ford Country Squire station wagon and took the family for an 8,500 mile, two month summer camping trip throughout the western states and west Canada.

In addition to caring for her family, she worked at her husband’s side at The Meating Place, the neighborhood grocery, meat market, and sausage shop that they owned on West State Street, Rockford. They operated this business for 13 years beginning in 1958 and became part of the community they served. It proved to be a safe gathering place for many children in the neighborhood. Edith was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and especially enjoyed the 2016 season. She had many dog companions over the years, starting with the first in Warm Springs, GA

She was a long time member of Third Presbyterian Church of Rockford. There she served as a deacon and participated in and lead a number of the church’s women’s organizations including in recent years The Peace Corps and Faith Builders Bible Study. In 1970, she became a member of P.E.O., Chapter V, Rockford, and served as its president as well as holding other offices. She also was a member of the P.E.O. Chapter in Lake Geneva,WI.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Joseph, and her son-in-law Walton Rosquist. Her family wants to thank the nursing staff at Wesley Willows for their loving care, especially Tracie and Denise. Thank you also to her Mercyhealth at Home Hospice team, Karen, Tiffany, Christine, and Katy.

On August 27, 2023, a celebration of her life will be included in the regular 10:15 church service at Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave., Rockford. Light refreshments will follow the service. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Third Presbyterian Church.