Blanche Wolpers

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Newspaperwoman and community leader Blanche Bernice Boyd Wolpers of Poplar Bluff died Saturday, May 4, 2013, at her home. She was 98.

She was born Sept. 25, 1914, in Owensville, Mo. She attended William Woods College her freshman year and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 1937. While at the university, she was a member of Alpha Phi sorority and Theta Sigma Phi honorary fraternity for women in journalism and was a sharpshooter on the university women's rifle team.

Before attending college she helped manage her family's newspaper, the Gasconade County Republican, upon the death of her father. After graduation, Wolpers returned to her hometown to run the newspaper. At the time, she was one of the youngest editors of a newspaper in Missouri.

In 1941, she was married to Robert M. Wolpers and moved to Poplar Bluff, where she joined his family's newspaper, the Daily American Republic. She worked there in different departments until the birth of her first child, but continued to work in the newsroom when needed and write feature articles about people and events around Southeast Missouri.

Her favorite stories included one about her experience traveling on a Mississippi River tug boat from Memphis, Tenn., to Baton Rouge, La., and interviews with country music stars Tammy Wynette and Narvel Felts.

She was involved in many activities of the city and county. In 1947, she served on the first board of directors of the old Civic Music Association, the forerunner of the Community Concert Association. She served on the committees to adopt the city manager form of government in 1969 and later to save the city manager form of government. She also served on the Butler County Health Center Board and the Poplar Bluff Public Library Board, serving as president. She received two citations from the city of Poplar Bluff for meritorious service.

Wolpers' main interests were in the arts and historical preservation. She was instrumental in establishing the Margaret Harwell Art Museum after her friend Margaret Harwell left a bequest to the city. She served from 1978 to 1988 as the first chairwoman of the City of Poplar Bluff Arts and Museum Advisory Board.

In 1986, Gov. John Ashcroft awarded her the highest honor in the state for the arts, the Missouri Arts Award. Her reaction to the award was, "This award means that the Margaret Harwell Art Museum has become a recognized part of the state art establishment."

A talented artist herself, she enjoyed painting, cooking, gardening and travel. She spent many years promoting historic preservation in Poplar Bluff. She served as chairwoman of the Poplar Bluff Historical Preservation Commission and helped obtain National Registry historical designations for many sites in the town. She also wrote many articles and worked closely with state officials in promoting and preserving the history of Poplar Bluff, and she wrote and designed historical brochures for the city that are still in use today.

She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church. She served on various church committees and taught Sunday school classes. She also was active on the University of Missouri Butler County Alumni Committee and Missouri Citizens for the Arts. In 2011 she coordinated the centennial celebration of the Monday Literary Club of which she was a member for more than 50 years. She was a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood and a past president of Chapter DG, Poplar Bluff. She also was active in Girl Scouts and PTA while raising her children.

In 1990 Wolpers was nominated for the Missouri University Alumni Association Faculty/Alumni Award. The special assistant to the chancellor, G.H. "Bus" Entsminger, said, "Those who have worked with her become infected with her spirit, energy and devotion to the cause; the result is a better life in a better society."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Wolpers, and a daughter, Mary Lynn Wolpers.

Survivors include a daughter, Emily Kinder Wolpers of Poplar Bluff; a son, John H. Wolpers II, and daughter-in-law, Julie K. Wolpers, of Cape Girardeau; two grandchildren, John H. Wolpers III and Anne K. Wolpers; a brother, Charles Robert Boyd of Perrysburg, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church.

The funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. today at the church, with the Rev. David Stewart officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the First United Methodist Church Building Endowment, 500 N. Main St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901; Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation, 1110 N. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901; or a charity of choice.