Tari Blank

Tari Ann Blank, 56, of Pine River, passed away on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 due to a tragic car accident. She was born on July 25, 1961 to the late Donald E. Smith and Nancy Wenzlaff. She married David Blank, the love of her life, on June 25, 1983 in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Tari was a kind soul whose mission in life was to help others. She was a member of the ski patrol, a surgical technician, an emergency medical technician in the emergency department at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and a volunteer first responder for the Pine River Fire Department; always committing herself to helping others, but especially committed to her family. She was the proud mother to three amazing daughters, Leigh, Chelsea and Aubrey and grandmother to Evalynn. Tari was also a lover of animals but especially loved her horses Bandera, Cody and Lacy who she would take out on organized trail rides, and her donkeys Harriet and Anna. She also enjoyed traveling, hiking, and fishing. But most important to Tari were her friends and family. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Tari is survived by her husband, David of Pine River; daughters, Leigh (significant other Dustin Hein) of Milwaukee, Chelsea (Brian) Fisher of Milwaukee, and Aubrey (Fiancé Ben LaPlante) of Rothschild; granddaughter, Evalynn LaPlante; Mother, Nancy (Jim) Wenzlaff of Wisconsin Rapids; brothers, Don (Noel) Smith and Steve (Robin) Smith; and her sister Sandy (John)Knol. A service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Brainard Funeral Home-Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, WI 54476. Visitation will take place on Friday, November 3, 2017 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again from 10:00 am until the time of services on Saturday. All to take place at the funeral home. The family of Tari Ann Blank is setting up a scholarship fund in her honor at Northcentral Technical College. This scholarship will honor Tari Smith Blank's life by being available to non-traditional students who have different life experiences that led them to a career choice in fire, police or EMS services. We know Tari would love this and appreciate any and all contributions. Please send contributions to: NTC Foundation RE: Tari Ann Blank Memorial Scholarship 1000 W Campus Drive Wausau, WI 54401