Mary Margaret Blatz

Mary Margaret “Susie” Blatz, 89, of St. Catherine Rd, Dubuque, passed away in her home on the evening of July 3rd, 2019 surrounded by family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Lyle Wilgenbusch officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 8, 2019, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

Susie was born September 23rd 1929, in Faribault, MN to Rosalie and Gentiel Vandendriessche. Her father Gentiel migrated from Belgium at the age of 27. In Faribault, she attended Kindergarten at Garfield School, 1st- 8th at Immaculate Conception and Graduated High School in 1947 from Bethlehem Academy where the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Mound taught her.

She married Alcuin Blatz from New Trier, MN on April 6th 1948 at St. Raphael Cathedral in Dubuque. They were married 24 years when Al passed away of a heart attack on October 25, 1972. They were blessed with 10 kids. They lived in an apartment in Dubuque until 1952 when they moved to a basement home built by Al. Eventually Al built the home on top where Susie resided the remainder of her life.

Her first job was at Rice County Regent Clerk Office and Rice County Superintendent’s Office of schools both in Faribault, MN. Then she worked for Fischer Company in Dubuque until her and Al started their family. Susie returned to work after Al passed away retiring from Valet Food Service after 25 years at the age of 71.

Susie was a faithful member of St. Catherine’s Parish, St. Catherine’s Rosary Society, Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Catherine’s Renew and Prayer Group.

She made the best Pumpkin bread according to her grandchildren. She loved having her family around her especially when her grandchildren played 65 along with her friends Velma Hoppman and Evelyn Specht. She was always knitting pot-holders, gloves, socks and dishcloths.

She is survived by her children; Barb (Joe) Lyons, of Dubuque, Susan (Larry) Metcalf, of Dubuque, Joanne (Jim) Oberbroeckling, of Cascade, Larry (Sheila) Blatz, of Dubuque, Mike (Karen) Blatz, of Dubuque, Kathy (Tony) Reiss, of La Motte, Mark (Jean) Blatz of Dubuque, Tom (Sarah) Blatz, of Bellevue, and Mary (John) Giesemann, of La Motte; her daughter-in-law Angie Blatz-Malott, of Dubuque. Two sisters-in-law Maryann Blatz, of Sterling, IL, and Ferrell Blatz, of Stanchfield, MN. Her 34 surviving grandchildren: Paul, Molly, Chris, Michelle, Travis, Brenda, Nicole, Matt, Mike, Craig, Lindsay, Helen, Al, Ben, Tonya, Michael, Kimberly, Laura, Sara, Julie, Brian, Eric, Kelly, Brandi, Natalie, Jared, Madalyn, Anna, Amanda, Anthony, Adam, Andrew, Ryan, and Nicholas. Her 50 great grandchildren and one on the way, along with two great-great grandchildren.

Susie is preceded in death by her husband Alcuin; her parents Rosalie and Gentiel Vandendriessche; her son Joey; her grandchildren Tommy Lyons, Katie Lyons, Marty Lyons, and Rosalie Blatz. Her sister Helen Remold and brother Marcel Vandendriessche along with 13 brothers-in-law and 10 sisters-in-law.

A special Thank You to Mom’s “11th child” Steve and Liz Staner for being such a great neighbor to our Mom. Also, a thank you to two of the world’s greatest caregivers Phyllis Freiburger and Jeanette O’Brien. Finally thank you to the staff of Hospice of Dubuque especially Amy.

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