Blanche Blair

Blanche Blair, 75, Bismarck, was carried home by the Angels of Heaven to be united with Jesus on Friday, September 24, after a short battle with ALS. A Family and Friends sharing time will be held at 7:30 pm, Wednesday, September 29, at the First Presbyterian Church. Her going home memorial service with be held Thursday , September 30, at 3:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 214 E. Thayer Ave. Bismarck, with Rev. Jake Kincaid and Rev. Tony Richards officiating. She will be laid to rest Memorial Day 2011 at the Hauge Lutheran Church in Alamo, North Dakota. Blanche Hillestad was born August 1, 1935, in Williston, ND, to Marie and Oscar Hillestad. She lived in the Alamo area as a young girl, was active in choir and sports throughout her childhood, and graduated from Alamo High School. After high school, she worked in Williston until she married James Blair on August 14, 1955 at Hauge Lutheran Church in rural Alamo area. The couple initially lived in Williston, and then moved to Bismarck where they raised their family. She worked part time at the Burleigh County Courthouse in the Treasurer's Office for many years. Blanche had a strong faith and was active in the First Presbyterian Church, Bismarck. She was a deacon for many years, and gave of her time in a variety of ways. Blanche was proud of her Norwegian heritage and North Dakota roots. She loved talking and visiting with her friends and relatives, cooking, cleaning, shopping, playing cards, and watching Twins baseball. One of her greatest joys was baking and sharing her famous banana bread, yummy brownies, and her delicate sugar cookies and krumkake with her many friends and family. Blanche was a loving wife, wonderful mother, nurturing grandmother and great-grandmother, caring sister, and an extraordinary friend to many! She was very devoted to her children and grandchildren and supported them in all their activities throughout the years. Blanche is survived by her children, David Sandi Blair, Bismarck, Brian Blair, Bismarck, and Jennifer Kurt Goos, Eagan, MN; 2 granddaughters, Kaija Kuleck, Bismarck, and Emma Goos, Eagan, MN, 5 grandsons, Justin Jodee Blair, St. Cloud, MN, Tanner Blair, Bismarck, ND, Andrew Blair, Grand Forks, MN, Alex Blair, Bismarck, ND, and Noah Goos, Eagan, MN and 2 great-grandchildren, Jasper Kuleck, Bismarck, and Vaughn Blair, St. Cloud, MN. She is also survived by her brothers, Paul Hillestad, Spokane, WA, and Archie Bev Hillestad, Alberta, Canada, and 4 sisters, Eleanor Harold Opsal, Loon Lake, WA, Margie Evenson, Alamo, ND, Helen Ed Halvorson, Loon Lake, WA, Shirley Palmer Torgerson, Spokane, WA, and 2 sister-in-laws, Lorraine Hillestad, Williston, ND, and MaryAnn Reville, Williston, ND, along with many nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; two brothers, Luverne Hillestad and Orlie Hillestad; sister-in-law, Betty Hillestad; and her mother-in-law, Anna Mae Blair. She will be missed by many and loved forever in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to either the First Presbyterian Church, Bimarck ND, Hauge Lutheran Cemetery Association, Alamo ND, ALS Association and the MS Association.

Blanche Blair

August 1, 1935 - September 24, 2010