Blanche P. Kellerhouse
Blanche P. Kellerhouse passed away peacefully on December 23, 2022, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by the love and warmth of her children.
Born on June 17, 1950, in Saugerties, NY, Blanche was the youngest of four siblings and only daughter. Her father, James Mergendahl, worked at the local cement plant and her mother, Blanche (for whom she was named) was a stay-at-home mom. At age 15, Blanche met the love of her life, Keith Kellerhouse, at a local roller rink and the rest, as they say, is history. With the loving approval of her adoring father and three protective brothers, Blanche and Keith were married five years later. Blanche and Keith moved to West Hurley, NY to begin their life together.
Blanche and Keith were blessed with two sets of twins, nearly three and a half years apart. Blanche loved being a mom and enjoyed the daily routines of family life. She also savored visiting with cousins and friends, spontaneous field trips, and swimming at local beaches in the summer. When the family moved to Grand Gorge, summers were spent managing the family farm, picnicking, playing badminton over the sidewalk, and sharing laughter with one another. Throughout many years, the family farm welcomed friends and new generations of family. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved being with their grandmother, their “Nongey” – a special name that was coined several decades ago.
While most of her life was devoted to family, Blanche also worked outside of the home. She owned a video store in Roxbury, Hometown Video. The store offered a variety of movies - cartoons, action, romance- something for everyone - and was a “local stop by” for friends in the community. Blanche enjoyed making connections and especially loved her conversations with the teenagers who came in not only for candy but also to discuss their adolescent angst.
One of Blanche’s greatest joys was crafting, a creative passion that started early in life. Her talents included knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, sewing, quilting, and embroidering, to name a few. Her home was filled with mountains of fabric, thread, accessories, and crafting machines. The many gifts Blanche made with love for her family will be forever treasured. For more than ten years, she was a member of a quilting guild in Windham, NY, serving as its president during the past several years. The guild displayed their quilts in local shows and donated hundreds of quilts to local children’s charities. The guild members, fellow quilters and crafters, were some of Blanche’s closest friends.
Blanche valued friendship deeply. It was her friends – old and new –that made each day special. Most mornings started with a flurry of calls to long-time companions. The phone rang early and often. Daily updates and family news from close friends were an integral cadence to Blanche’s life. Her day would not be complete if it didn’t include conversations with Debbie, Casey, Jean, Marsha, Annie, and others.
Blanche is predeceased by her parents, James and Blanche Mergendahl; and her brother, James Mergendahl. In August 2022, she lost her husband, Keith Kellerhouse. Together they had four children Becky Kellerhouse (Shannon), Amy Cronk (Robert), James Kellerhouse (Tom), and Benjamin Kellerhouse (Becky). She was best known as “Nongey” to her seven grandchildren and their families – Jacob (Bonnie), John (Amanda), Olivia, James, and Lydia Cronk; and Keene and Kade Kellerhouse. She adored her three great-granddaughters, Abigail and Penelope Cronk, and Susanna Mead. Blanche is survived by her brothers William and John “Jack” Mergendahl and their families.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial service and celebration of life on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at p.m. at the Jay Gould Dutch Reform Church in Roxbury, NY. In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to make donations in her memory to the Grand Gorge Rescue Squad, 0753 State Highway 30, Grand Gorge, New York 12434.