Obituary of Priscilla Blecha

Priscilla L. Blecha, 79, of Warsaw, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at her home in Warsaw. Blessed be the life and memory of Priscilla.  She was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa August 27, 1943 to parents  Earl and Lucille Maulson Croskey.  She joined older sister, Patricia and they lived in several areas of Iowa until settling in Iowa City.  When Priscilla was four years old, her younger brother Phillip was born.  As a youngster, he was not able to pronounce her name and called her Sissy.  Thus the name stuck and Priscilla has been known far and wide with the nickname “Sissy.” 

Priscilla was proud of the fact that at eleven years old she was named an ambassador for the opening of Herbert Hoover Elementary School.   As a result, she was introduced to President Hoover and it was an important day in her life. 

While attending Iowa City High School she worked as a telephone operator.  Priscilla graduated from high school in 1961.  She immediately went to University College of Cosmetology where she began her career as a hair stylist.

In 1965 she married Jim Blecha.  They moved to Eldora, Iowa where Priscilla opened her salon named, Colonial Coiffures.  Even though she was very successful she was missing an important part of her life: children.  She found that love and fulfillment in children, SuSana and Jose’.  Her life was complete. Priscilla and the children moved to LaCrosse in 1985 where she worked at Glenbies Beauty Shop and later she managed The Dayton Hudson Beauty Salon.  She bought a couple homes while living in the area and with her designer skills she was able to improve and profit from her efforts.

She later met Tom Landis and their romance blossomed.  The decision was made for her to move to Warsaw, Illinois and begin her life with Tom along the Mississippi River Bluffs.  Once again, in her lifetime, Priscilla embraced all that the area offered.  She was active in her Trinity United Methodist Church, Deer Run Golf Course, PEO, Mississippi Speed Record Team, Warsaw City Council, Warsaw Community Women’s Club, Angels on the River, annual migration bird counts, book clubs and her bridge groups. Priscilla loved flowers, fruit trees, and developing new gardens and landscaping.  She treasured every minute she could be outside.  She saw God in everything she did in nature and all around her.  Priscilla was grateful for every day given her.

Even though we miss her deeply, she danced the day, May 31, 2023, when she joined her mother Lucille, her father Earl, her sister Patricia and her beloved Tom Landis, in eternity. She is survived by her children, SuSana Blecha, Jose’ Blecha, her brother Phillip Croskey and his wife Denise, her aunt Genny Croskey, nieces, cousins, and friends.

God bless her memory and the contributions she made in her lifetime of 79 years.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Gay-Ciha Funeral Home, 2720 Muscatine Ave., Iowa City, IA at 10:30 AM.