Lydia (Esparza) Blank, 81, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.
A Mass will be held in her honor at St. Columba Church in Ottawa on October 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Lydia Blank was born on May 3, 1944, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and died peacefully in her home on October 17, 2025. She was 81 years old. She is survived by her seven children: Patricia (Richard) Gama, Albert (Cindy) Martinez, Steven (Staci) Martinez, Jessica Ortega, Scott (Katie) Blank, Adrienne (Harrison Maguire) Ortega, and Nathan Ortega; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Raphael Esparza, Angelita Davila, Olivia Curiel, Jimmy Esparza, and Veronica Esparza. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Blank; her parents, Concepcion Esparza and Filipa Cruz; and her siblings Josefina Davila, Margarita Guzman, Maria Martinez, Jose Esparza, Sylvia Moncevalles, Irma Sandate, Yolanda Esparza, and Jimmy Esparza.
As one of 14 children, family was extremely important to Lydia. Her brothers and sisters were her best friends, and they were never short of laughs and good times. She loved Tejano music and being with her family, but above all, she loved helping raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she cared for up until her last days.
Lydia spent her career working at Sealmaster in Aurora, Illinois, where she met her husband, Ray. She retired early so that she and Ray could spend their golden years in Flour Bluff, Texas. They enjoyed warm weather, beach life, and spending time with her brothers and sisters. She moved back to Illinois in 2018 and spent her last years surrounded by her great-grandchildren, who lit up her life and kept her young.
Lydia enjoyed decorating for the holidays, thrifting, mending with her sewing machine, and reading a good scary story. She was a strong woman, full of life, and will be greatly missed by those who loved her.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433.