Blanche's father, Fred Scamell, moved his family to the brick cottage adjacent to the Mangelsdorf greenhouse, in Atchison, Kansas, which Fred Mangelsdorf was in charge of after his return from St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois. While in St. Louis during a three year period studying at the renowned Forest Park where he worked with rare and delicate flowers and plants as well as working in landscaping, he occasionally attended the opera; the remaining part of his three year stay he was in a town in Illinois where he learned the art of floral design.

When Fred Mangelsdorf saw Blanche pass by the greenhouse on her way to classes at the high school, he thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. After becoming acquainted with her, he asked her to accompany him to the opera at the Price Opera in Atchison; she accepted, and they went often.

Fred and Blanche decided to marry as soon as possible after Blanche graduated from high school. They married on June 10, 1903, at the First Christian Church, Atchison, Kansas. Fred provided the floral decorations for the church as well as Blanche's bridal bouquet and his lapel flower.

Blanche was devoted to her husband and a caring parent to their children.

She was an accomplished seamstress and dressmaker. She embelished many of her creations with various types of stitchery and embroidery, some of which were for her granddaughters.

Blanche also excelled at cooking. Many meals were from recipes handed down through her husband's family and consisted of the German menu of various meat dishes, potatoes, vegetables, fancy cakes, and cookies.

Fred and Blanche moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, when Fred accepted a job offered him by Earl May of Earl May Seed Company, Shenandoah, Iowa.