Alice "Granny" Gwendolyn Blackwell entered into peaceful rest on August 21st, 2016 at the Shenandoah Medical Center at the age of 83, just two weeks shy of her 84th birthday. Her life was full of love and laughter.

Granny was born to Fred and Hulda Kalkas (McIntosh) on September 4th, 1932 at the Shenandoah Medical Center. She was raised in Shenandoah and was one of thirteen children. Granny went to country school, but as one of the oldest in the family, she left school at an early age to help take care of her younger siblings.

When Granny was 15 years old, she fell in love with 18 year old Jesse Blackwell, and the two were united in marriage on December 20th 1947. The couple resided in Shenandoah where their union was blessed by three children, Robert, Donna, and Cherry. At the time of Grampy's passing, they were only 4 days from celebrating their 64th anniversary!

As their children were growing, Granny was a stay at home mom and housewife who loved cooking and baking for her family. When the kids were older, she started work as a CNA, which she did for several years. She worked for both Gardenview Care Center and Elm Heights in Shenandoah.

Granny was very creative, and loved to quilt, sew, and do crafts. She created many quilts for her grandkids and as gifts. In her later years, she enjoyed reading novels, and obsessing over the soap opera "Days of Our Lives". She loved Chinese food and Mondo's, and anything blue.

To everyone who knew her, she was "Granny". More than anything else, she loved taking care of her grandkids, great grandkids, and most recently, her great-great-grandkids! (Because she certainly was extra great!) She was easily described as a spitfire and everyone loved her ornery, outspoken personality! She wasn't afraid to say what was on her mind, but was always quick to offer her love.

Those who went before her were her parents, many brothers and sisters, husband Jesse, son Robert, and great grandson Kassidie.

Left here to cherish her memory are her daughter Donna and husband Doug of Gardner, Kansas and daughter Cherry and husband Roger of Shenandoah, Iowa. She is also leaving behind a legacy of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, many other family members, and all others who know her as Granny.

And after almost 5 years apart, Granny and Grampy have been reunited!

Graveside service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.

Visitation with the family will be held from 9:00 am until 11:00 am, Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah.

Memorials may be directed to the family.