Blanche Kastella

Blanche M. Parks Kastella, 92, died Dec. 8, 2007 at the Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

Blanche was born in Littlefork, Minn., on March 23, 1915, to Herbert and Carrie E. (Allen) Manery. She received her schooling in Littlefork and International Falls, Minn. She graduated from Littlefork High School in 1932.

She moved to Whitefish in 1933 and worked for her brother, Byron Manery, owner of the Rainbow Laundry. She met her future husband, Charles (Dick) R. Parks, who was working for the Great Northern Railroad and Berry’s Drug Store. They were married in Whitefish, July 28, 1934.

To this union were born two children, Delores and Jerry. Charles passed away July 21, 1977, and Blanche married Alf R. Kastella on June 25, 1983 in Havre. They continued to make their home in Whitefish. Alf passed away on Sept. 29, 1989.

In the fall 2003, Blanche moved to Havre to be closer to her family. With five great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren in school, there was always a game, a play, recitals, awards programs, open houses, graduation ceremonies and holiday programs to attend.

Blanche was a long time member of the Presbyterian Church of Whitefish, receiving Honorary Life Membership in 2000. She was a past president of the Rebekah Assembly of Montana and was advisory officer of the Whitefish Theta Rho Girls Club.

During that time the Theta Rho’s sponsored the White Cane Drive for the Blind and the girls were successful in raising money for this project. She took “her girls” to a number of state assemblies as well as Canada, and she took 16 of them to Minot, N.D., where they exemplified their ritual work for members of a four-state conclave. She was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for her work in the Order. Blanche was also a member of the Auxiliary to UTU and a member of the BNSF Veterans Association.

Her memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish on Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dan Davis officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the church immediately after the service. A grave-side service will be follow at Whitefish Cemetery at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Blanche’s honor may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Legacy Fund or to the Memorial Committee of the First Presbyterian Church, both in Whitefish.