L. Elaine Raichart

Dec. 23, 1925--Sept. 5, 2005

MAX - L. Elaine Raichart died Monday (Sept. 5, 2005) at Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colo.

She was born to Thomas O. and A. Alice (Laumann) Ballard on Dec. 23, 1925, in Parks. She graduated from Parks High School in 1943. She attended McCook Junior College and graduated from Kearney State College in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

She married Charles W. "Dudley" Blank on April 26, 1946. The couple made their home at the Rock Castle Fish Hatchery in Parks until Dudley's retirement. On Dec. 28, 1997, she married Verle Raichart of Max. They lived on his ranch south of Max.

She taught school at the Hoover Precinct School and the Haigler Public School until her retirement. She was a substitute teacher in Benkelman and Haigler in retirement. She then received her Master Floral Design Certification and was employed at Flower Magic.

She played piano for the Parks Methodist Church and piano and organ and directed the choir at the Benkelman Presbyterian Church. She was a member and officer of the Benkelman Presbyterian Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Delta Kappa Gamma, Dundy County Senior Center. She was a member of the Dundy County Historical Society, the Dundy County Alumni Association, Benkelman Women's Club Library and was the secretary of the Max Community Club. She was also on the scholarship committee of the Elmer Hester Dundy County Schools Foundation.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Dudley.

Survivors include her husband, Verle Raichart of Max; her sister, Patricia Cook and husband, Warren of St. Francis, Kan.; daughters, Janice Buffington and husband, Jim of Terre Haute, Ind., Gayle Lutz and husband, Wayne of Benkelman and Jill Hibbs and husband, Dwayne of Kearney; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; step-children, Kathy and husband, Bill Donze, Kelly Raichart and wife, Marcia and Kristi and husband, Wes Gordon; 11 step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Services will be Friday, 2 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman with Marcine Farmer, PMA, officiating. The family will gather for a private interment.

Visitation is today, 2-7 p.m., at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.

Memorials are being accepted in her name at the Benkelman Presbyterian Church or the charity of the donor's choice.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of arrangements.