Obituary of George Blank

Hans Georg Blank passed away peacefully on April 30, 2021 in Creston, BC at the age of 91 years.  George, as he was known, was the loving husband of 65 years of Erika Henrietta Blank (nee Krueger).

George was born on March 26, 1930 in Ebenflur, East Prussia, Germany.  He was the second of six children born to Friedrich and Lina Blank.  In January of 1945, the approach of the Soviet Army forced his family to flee west where they settled in Edendorf, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany in 1946.  George remained there until 1952 when he began an apprenticeship in masonry in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

In 1953, his family immigrated to Canada and started farming in the Coaldale, AB area where George met and married Erika.  They moved from Coaldale to Medicine Hat, Calgary, New Jersey, before settling back in the Seba Beach, Alberta area where he and his family shared a farm.

Work eventually took George to Edmonton and Stony Plain, where he achieved his boilerman’s and locksmithing tickets and worked in building maintenance.  The joy of gardening that was shared by both George and Erika throughout their lives brought them to their retirement property in Erickson, BC in 1995.

George was predeceased by his parents Friedrich and Lina Blank, his older sister Ursula, brothers Reinhold and Joachim (Jo) Blank as well as his son-in-laws Nunce “Butch” Costa Jr. and Joseph Klein.

George leaves behind to mourn, his loving wife Erika, daughter Mary Louise of New Jersey, sons Werner (Lois) of Medicine Hat, AB, Peter (Bonnie) of Tsawwassen, BC, brother Konrad (Janet) of Auburn, WA, sister Erika Krueger (Elmar) of Sandy, OR, and his sister-in-law Ella (Reinhold) of Langley, BC, grandchild Joseph Klein Jr. (Jennifer) and great grandchildren Chase, Summer and Logan, grandchild Michelle (John) Mortelliti (nee Costa), great grandchild Kirsten (Kyle) Ambrozaitis (nee Mortelliti), great great grandchildren  Karson and Karter, grandchild Justin Mortelliti, as well as many nieces, nephews and their families also mourn the loss of their Onkel George.

George’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Crest View Village, Swan Valley Lodge and Creston hospital for their exceptional care of he and Erika.

A Celebration of Life Service will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the charity of their choice.

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