Obituary of Linda K. Blankenship

Blankenship, Linda K. (Mersdorf) Bay City, Michigan Linda K. (Mersdorf) Blankenship, age 73, went home to our Lord on Friday, August 21, 2020. She passed away quietly after a long fight with cancer. Linda was born in Bay City on August 3, 1947. Linda married Dave Blankenship on May 22, 1991. Linda worked at City Hall in the treasury department, and as senior clerk for purchasing right out of high school until the time she retired 30 years later. She was also an honorary life-time member of the AFLCIO local #542. After retirement, Linda enjoyed gardening, spending time with family, camping, fishing, Fourth of July, root beer floats, and creative crafting. She also enjoyed going to see her favorite musicians, Priscilla Hernandez and Sawyer Fredericks. Sewing and costume design were passions of Linda's throughout her retirement. She contributed greatly to the theater department at John Glenn High School, stitching beautiful ensembles for their competitive productions and musicals. Linda also designed dresses for spanish singer, Priscilla Hernandez's fairy themed concert tours. She also enjoyed making her family halloween costumes, and eventually began to sell the dresses she made online. Linda is survived by her husband David Blankenship; her daughter, Elizabeth (Manuel) Villarreal; and one grandson, Morgan Aris of Bay City MI. Also surviving are her sisters, Becky (Dennis) Malusi of Greenville, MI, Theresa Perkins of Canyon Lake, TX, Ellen Switala of San Francisco, CA, Gina (John) Syring of Bay City, MI; sister-in-law, Susan Horner; one brother, Ike Mersdorf of Bay City, MI; nieces and nephews, Geoff and Dane Malusi, Sarah and Megan Shidler, Greg, Gabe, and Elyssa Switala, Travis and Trevor Switala, Cheyenne and Madison Syring and Nicole and Jennifer; brothers and sisters in law, Dan (Sandy) Blankenship of Bay City, MI, Rick (Deb) Blankenship of Columbia,TN, Kathy and David Jankowski of Bay City, MI, Ashley, Mathew, Charlie, Mareina, Zachary, Kristie, Krista, Nichole, Jennifer, Michael, and Alex. She leaves behind three fur babies, Echo, Dozer, and Minny. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Virginia Mersdorf; and a brother, Roy E. (Alicia) Mersdorf. The family would like to extend special thanks to all her Physical Therapists and Occupational nurses for their compassionate care of our loved one. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service with Luncheon will be held at 11 AM, Friday, September 4, 2020 at Shelter #2 at the Bay City State Park, 3582 State Park Drive, Bay City Michigan. God bless you, till we meet again. Linda will be very missed by all the people she loved and touched throughout her life. To sign online guestbook, visit www.hyattewald.com Arrangements by Hyatt-Ewald Funeral Home, Bay City. All sympathy store items must be sent directly to the family home.