Frances Theresa Blecha

Frances Theresa (Herrley) Blecha, 82, of Pawnee City, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Fran was born on November 29, 1943, to Daniel and Mary (Henderson) Herrley in Omaha, Nebraska. She attended Notre Dame Academy graduating in 1962. She worked at Kuebler’s Drug Store delivering medication to the residents at Florance Home. Following graduation, she worked at Omaha National Bank. Fran rode the bus to work striking up a friendship with Marlene (Branek) Durman whose parents lived in the Steinauer area. Fran met Morris Blecha while spending a weekend with the Branek family.

Fran and Morris were married on November 20, 1965, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Omaha, Nebraska. To this union, 5 children were born. Fran worked alongside Morris on the farm they purchased for many years, hauling silage, milking cows, and doing livestock chores. Fran loved having her grandchildren on the farm with her. They played games and took care of the animals together. She remained on the farm with her son Mark until she moved to the hospice unit at Bryan West in Lincoln, Nebraska following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Fran was an avid Huskers fan and enjoyed league bowling in Tecumseh for many years. Simple things made her happy; laughing and spending time with her grandchildren, outings with her sister, a glass of wine, getting her hair done, or a good card game.

Fran was preceded in death by her husband Morris, parents, Daniel and Mary, sibling Daniel Herrley Jr., sons-in-law, Steven Deneke and Michael Moser, and granddaughter, Megan Paige Deneke.

She is survived by children Marcia Deneke, Wessington Springs, SD, Mary Moser, Pawnee City, NE, Melisa (Shawn) Friedly, Pawnee City, NE, Mark Blecha, Pawnee City, NE, Machelle (Ryan) Wendel, Lincoln, NE, six grandchildren, Katelin Deneke, Blake, Collin and Lauren Moser, Nathan Friedly, and Emilia Wendel, sister Margaret Zook and brother-in-law Richard Blecha, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2026  at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Steinauer, Nebraska with Father William Holoubek officiating.  Rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m, with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2026 at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Interment at St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Steinauer, Nebraska.  Memorials to Pawnee City Library, Pawnee City Public School Education Foundation or Pawnee County 4-H Foundation. Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frances Theresa Blecha, please visit our floral store.