Blanche J. Betenbender, 83, of Coggon, died Saturday, December 5, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Services were 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Central City, by Chaplain Jeremy Hudson. The family greeted friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, December 7, 2009, at the funeral home. Burial: Jordan's Grove Cemetery, Central City.

Survivors include her husband, Pete; her children, Max (Donna) Betenbender of Coggon and Larry (Ana) Betenbender of Iowa City; one granddaughter, Teresa Wagner; two great-grandchildren, Courtney Blaber and Cameron Klouda; and one brother, Donald Bliss of Marion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Ted Betenbender; four brothers: Albert, Harold, Jack and Merle Bliss; and one sister, Alice Turner.

Blanche was born January 2, 1926, the daughter of Chester and Julia (Danford) Bliss, in Prairieburg. Blanche married Glen "Pete" Betenbender on February 10, 1945, in Coggon.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Blanche's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Blanche at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.