Jennie Rose Blank, 90, of Glendale, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026.

Jennie Rose Blank was born on December 16, 1935 in Rothville, Missouri, to Vincent and Clara (Ewald) Gladbach. At a very early age, she lost her hearing due to high fever. Shortly thereafter, her parents sent her to St. Joseph's Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis. She lived and attended school there, spending summers and holidays with her family on their farm. She enjoyed being with her parents and nine siblings growing up, as well as the farm animals.

After completing 8th grade at St. Joseph's, she went to Rosati-Kain, an all hearing catholic girls high school in St. Louis. Through high school, she worked as a housemother for young school children at St. Joseph's in exchange for room and board. She graduated from Rosati-Kain in 1955 and stayed in St. Louis working at various secretarial jobs. She made many new friends in the St. Louis deaf community who taught her sign language.

On September 19, 1964, she married Charles "Bill" Blank, a union that lasted 60 years. They had three children: Vicki Lucille Miller (husband Charles Alan Miller), Cyndee Margaret England, and Barrett William Blank. She has one grandson William Michael England, Cyndee's son. Jennie Rose brought curiosity and creativity to her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and five siblings, Vernon Gladbach, Frank Gladbach, George Gladbach, Rita (Gladbach) Moore, and Donald Gladbach.

Jennie Rose had a loving and beautiful smile that drew people in. She enjoyed games, puzzles, sports, flowers, the outdoors, and animals. She was an active member of the St. Louis deaf community. She served in multiple roles supporting the Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf and St. Thomas Deaf Church.

Jennie Rose had recently moved from St. Louis to assisted living in Kansas City. The family would like to thank the caregivers at St. Anthony's Senior Living and Catholic Community Hospice for making her transition positive. At a later date, there will be a family graveside service at St. Joseph's Church cemetery near Rothville and an open celebration of life in St. Louis.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf (GSLAD)