Edna L. Blasius (nee Callahan), 95, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Marseilles, IL.
A private Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park, with Pastor Sherry Stevenson officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded to Ottawa Funeral Home.
Edna was born on December 31, 1927, in Marseilles, IL, to Edward and Viola (Green) Callahan. She married Charles Bivens and together they raised six children. Edna worked for Dan-Jac in Marseilles cutting and sewing men’s clothing for many years. She was a very active member in the Moose both in Illinois and Arizona where she served as Senior Regent of the Phoenix Chapter 453. She was also an active member of the Elks in Phoenix, being one of the first women accepted as a member. In 1980, she left Illinois to go to Arizona to the nice warm climate. There she met and married John Blasius, who preceded her in death in 1991. She continued to live in Arizona until 2022, when she came back to live with her daughter until the time of her passing.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandi Bivens of Marseilles; her sons, Charles (Cheryl) Bivens of Streator and Roger Bivens of Deer Lodge, MT; her daughter-in-law, Mary Beth Bivens of Streator; her grandchildren, Kathy (Pete) Berry, Jack Carr, Michelle Brooke, Jim (Angel) DeMoss, Chad (Shelby) Bivens, Krista Meier, Jeff (Linda) Mueller, Melissa Hallam, Jon Mueller, Chelynne Clark, and Taylor Bivens; her eighteen great grandchildren; her nine great great grandchildren and one due in May; her brother, Ronald Callahan; and her sister, Evelyn Damm.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Blasius; her daughter Sue Carr; her son, Wayne Bivens; her daughter, Linda Mueller; her sons-in-law, Jack Carr and Dale Mueller; her granddaughter, Sheila Thomas; her granddaughter, Beth Carr; her great granddaughter, Dani Bivens; her brothers, James and Jerry Callahan; and her sister, June Schultheis.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the OSF Hospice team for the care they showed Edna during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Enda has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper in Oakwood Memorial Park.