Esther Helena Blakely

Esther Helena Blakely died on February 18, 2012 at age 96 at Hospice Home of Hope. She was born the daughter of Rudolf J. and Matilda K. Faubel on May 1, 1915 in Camp Douglas, WI.She graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1933 and worked as a telephone operator.She married Donald Blakely on Feb. 6, 1937 and in 1945 they started Blakely Auto Parts where she remained active throughout her life. Her main role was being a mother to their five children.In her later years Esther was very active in community volunteer work. She served as a dedicated member and president of the Ladies Aid at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church where she was a life-long member. She served on the Board of Directors of MPTC, as president of the Soroptimists, and as a volunteer at St. Agnes Hospital. She was also a major supporter of the Fond du Lac County Historical Society, serving as team captain, member of the Board of Directors, and president for seven years. In 2001 she was named an Outstanding Volunteer of the Year of Fond du Lac County.One of her favorite things to do was sing. She shared her beautiful soprano voice at Immanuel-Trinity, in the Fond du Lac Women’s Chorus, the Happy Seniors Chorus, the Larks, and the Red Hat Honeys. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, in 1985; her son, Reynold in 1999; her brother, Frank; her sister-in-law, Alice Faubel; and her brother-in-law, Roland Flanders.She is survived by her children, daughter-in-law, Marion Blakely of Eden, and her children Laura (Bruce) VanderVeen of Sharon, WI, Richard (Barbara) Blakely of Cottage Grove, WI, and Jay (Tara) Blakely of Menomonee Falls, WI; Jennifer (James) Meyer of Fairport, NY and their children Stephen (Shannon) Meyer of Seattle, WA, and Suzanne (James) Couch of Independence, KY; Polly (John) May of Fond du Lac, and their children Jolene (Matthew) Bowman of Hyattsville, MD and Jesse (Sarah) May of Neenah, WI; Lucy (Edward) Acheson of Decatur, IL; and Trace (Cindy) Blakely of Fond du Lac; and seven great-grandchildren. Esther is also survived by her sister, Mildred Flanders of Carlsbad, NM; her brother, William Faubel of Appleton, WI; and her sister-in-law, Gladys Faubel of Fond du Lac.In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Fond du Lac County Historical Society or Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church.Visitation will take place from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, 20 Wisconsin-American Drive, Fond du Lac. A memorial service will follow at 4:00 p.m., with Rev. Shari L. Routh officiating. Special thanks to the caregivers at Lakeview Estates, the staff of St. Agnes Hospital 4 South, and everyone at Hospice Home of Hope.When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set on me,I want no rites in a gloom-filed room.Why cry for a soul set free?Miss me a little – but not too long and not with your head bowed down.Remember the love that we once shared; miss me – but let me go.For this is a journey that we all must take and each must go alone.It’s all part of the Master’s plan, a step on the road back home.

Esther Helena Blakely

February 18, 1916 - February 18, 2012