Emily Blastic

On Friday, December 10, 2010, Emily K. Blastic (Blasczyk) heard the words, “well done, good and faithful servant” upon her arrival in Heaven. Emily K. Blastic was born June 18, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Walter and Hattie Kowalewski. Growing up she enjoyed tap dancing, swimming and speed skating. She graudated from Riverside High School in 1939. After marrying her husband Frank on April 26, 1941, the couple owned and operated a “truck farm” in Fussville, Wisconsin, enjoying the rural life and starting a family. In 1950, they moved to a beautiful home on Humboldt Blvd. in Milwaukee as Emily continued to raise her family. In 1956, the family moved “up north” where she, along with her husband Frank, owned and operated the Northwoods Inn in Fifield, Wisconsin from 1956-1964. During that time, she referred to herself as the “chief cook and bottle washer”. She enjoyed bowling and took a team to the “state championship” in 1959. The family moved to the Woodruff/Minocqua area in 1964. Her culinary art continued at Vince’s, Holiday Inn Supper Club, Paul Bunyan’s and Curley’s. Emily eventually retired from AVW Grade School in 1983, where she was lovingly knows as “The Cook” by many of the students and staff that she fed at school. In retirement, Emily began to paint and thoroughly enjoyed it as evidenced by numerous paintings signed, “Emily Picasso” or simply “E.B.” She enjoyed spending summers with daughter Carol in Fifield, as well as traveling to visit daughter Judy in California. Along the way, she tried her luck in Vegas and even ventured to Mexico. Emily spent the last 4 years as a resident of Dr. Kate/Avanti. While there, she could be seen wearing one of her many pairs of “designer” sunglasses and was affectionately referred to as “Hollywood”. Emily was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Michael; husband, Frank; brothers, Joe and “Red”; sisters, Helen and Dorothy and her grandson, Michael. Emily’s spirit lives on in her five children; Carol Severt and husband John of Fifield, Marilyn True and husband Tony of Minocqua, Judy Lesniewski and husband John of Moraga, California, Thomas Blastic and wife Kathy of North Bend, Oregon and Sharon Abraham of Minocqua. Her 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren have fond memories of her teaching them how to play rummy and “getting” quarters from each and every one of them. Emily was blessed with many friends. She had the “gift of gab” and “struck up” a conversation with everyone she met along the way. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff; with visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Father James Hoffman will officiate. Her family expresses deep admiration and thankfulness to Dr. Anne Drewry from Marshfield Clinic, the staff at Dr. Kate’s and Avanti and her compassionate roommate, Myrtle. Because, Emily’s greatest enjoyment came from cooking and feeding others, the family requests memorials be sent to the Lakeland Food Pantry, so she can “make” one more meal for someone.

Emily Blastic

June 18, 1921 - December 10, 2010