Mary Jane Blazek

Mary Jane Blazek, nee Kabur, age 93, gained her heavenly wings on Sunday April 13, 2025 at her home in Irons, Michigan surrounded by her children and loyal dog Sparky. Mary was the beloved wife of the late John William Blazek; and loving mother of John (Mary Jo) Blazek, Patricia Blazek, Mary (Thomas) Sauch and Lilian Blazek. She was also grandmother to Amber Biscardi, Lauren (Mike) Sanchez, Dawn (Lionel) Predium, Natalie and Nicole Sauch, Peter (Emily) Melican and Daniel Melican; great-grandmother to Leah and Zoe Biscardi, Brodie Sanchez and Ella and Xavier Predium. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents Nellie and Peter Kabur; her sisters Ann and Helen Klement, Evelyn Reichert, Bernice Cook, Lillian MacEachern, and her brothers Stanley, Henry, and Joey Klement. Mary Jane was born January 31, 1932 in Branch Michigan and lived in Irons attending school at Norman Dickson Rural Agriculture Consolidated High School, graduating with the class of 1951. While in high school, she worked at Voorhees Grocery in Irons. Mary also worked at Goodman Manufacturing in Chicago and then as a switchboard operator at Chicago Carton in Chicago where she met her future husband. Mary Jane and John were united in marriage at St. Bernard Church in Irons on September 8, 1951 and celebrated 64 years by each other’s side until John preceded her in death in 2015. She was active in the church, being a member of the altar society at St. Kieran Church in Chicago Heights, and St. Bernard Church in Irons. In her earlier years she would cook and clean for the priests at St. Bernard’s and played the organ for mass. After her last child was in school, Mary Jane decided to further her education, graduating with an Associate degree in nursing in 1968. She went on to obtain both a Bachelor degree as a Nurse Practitioner from Purdue University, and Graduate degree in Nursing from St. Xavier College. Mary was a clinical head nurse at Oak Forest Hospital in Illinois, worked as a Nurse Practitioner for two physicians, and then became an instructor for the Nursing program at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights. She retired from there in 1990 and moved to Irons with her husband in 1993. Mary Jane enjoyed being active in the Altar Society, pinochle club, gardening, reading, sketching and painting, but mostly enjoyed being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mary Jane at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 22nd at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Irons with Rev. Matthew Barnum and Rev. Dennis O’Donnell as celebrants. Burial will follow at Eden Cemetery in Irons where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved John. Friends may visit with her family on Monday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm at St. Bernard’s church where the Rosary will be prayed for Mary Jane at 7:30 pm. Those who wish to remember Mary Jane with a memorial donation are asked to please consider either St. Bernard Altar Society, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Mary Jane Blazek

January 31, 1932 - April 13, 2025