Lela Alice Blas Obituary (1917 - 2016)

Lela Alice Blas was called to her eternal rest on April 1, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Beatrice. She was born October 17, 1917 in Beatrice, Nebraska to Charles and Stella (Vrooman) Bachle. When she was three years old, the family moved from their home east of Ellis, Nebraska to Thayer County. She attended a rural school all of her elementary years and went to high school at Hubbell, Nebraska. Upon her high school graduation, she received a Regents Scholarship from the University of Nebraska and one from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She enrolled in Nebraska Wesleyan summer school for twelve weeks and began her career as a teacher in a rural school. After six years of teaching in rural schools, she moved to Belvidere, Nebraska to teach 7th and 8th grades. She and John Blas Sr. were married in 1940. They lived near Reynolds, Nebraska and she taught in that area for three years until they were blessed with two children, Conny and John Jr. She returned to teaching at Diller Elementary School where she taught two grades. She became Supervisor of the school and also was in charge of the school lunch program. She served as the musical chairperson for Diller Rural Area Schools to produce spring musicals for the public showcasing songs and square dancing. She finished her forty year teaching career at Paddock Lane Elementary School in Beatrice where she taught third grade. She enjoyed teaching summer enrichment programs for upper elementary students and having student teachers to mentor in her classroom. She was awarded an Honorary State Life Membership in the PTA. She attended college at Nebraska Wesleyan University, the University of Colorado, and graduated from the University of Nebraska Teachers College. She belonged to the Beatrice Education Association, Nebraska Education Association, Beatrice Area Retired School Personnel (BARSP), Patio Gardeners extension club, and St. John Lutheran Church where she was also a member of the Rebekah/Lydia circle. Lela was co-organizer and secretary of the Muscular Dystrophy group of Nebraska. She wrote and received a Nebraska Dystrophy charter so money could be collected to help victims of this disease. She loved to inspire her students, to read, dance, play the piano, and travel. Over the years, Lela visited most states of the United States including Hawaii and Alaska, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Mexico. Survivors include: daughter, Conny Humble of Lincoln, son, John Blas Jr. and wife, Debra of Beatrice; grandchildren, Nathan Blas, David Blas, Lori Humble Stegall and husband, Tim; great-grandson, Tanner Stegall; step great granddaughter Dallas Stegall; cousin, Kay (Bachle) Murphy; sister-in-law, Edna Bachle, nieces, nephews, and many former students whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles P. and Stella E. Bachle; husband, John Blas Sr. (Feb. 4, 1985); brothers, Virgil Bachle (and sister-in-law Mildred Bachle) and Chester Bachle. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 8th at the Griffiths Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with Rev. Myron Meyer officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 AM Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Beatrice Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund and the Beatrice Backpack Program with Mark and Chris Bathel in charge. The body will lie in state Thursday from 10-9:00 PM and Friday until the time of the service at the Griffiths Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. Sign Lela's online guest book and view her video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths Hovendick Chapel of Beatrice.