Blanche Iona Thorstad

Blanche Iona Holley Thorstad
Our beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Blanche Iona Holley Thorstad, age 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 14, 2007, at Pioneer Valley Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 28, 1914 in Corinne, Utah to Roy Earl and Bertha Garrard Holley. She married Thorlief (Tom) Thorstad on March 14, 1942 in Evanston, Wyoming, and was later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
After completing high school in Pocatello, Idaho in 1934, Blanche moved to Ogden, Utah where she met her husband. After he returned from the military, she moved with her small family to Vale, Oregon. The family later moved to Ontairo, Oregon where she was a professional cook and chef, and was known as the best pie maker in the area. Family was most important to Blanche. As the mother of seven children, she learned to sew and repair anything. She used her sewing talents to make wonderful things for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her golden years she became an excellent flower gardener. Neighbors said they loved to look at her yard - the prettiest in the neighborhood.
Blanche is survived by her children Holly (Louis) Tomlinson, Reston, VA; Mary Lou (Daniel) Marshall, Boise, ID; Rosanne Thorstad, West Valley City, UT; Robert (Julie) Thorstad, Ontario, OR; Kathy (Clint) Woodcox, Payson, UT and Karyn (David) D'Anna, Sandy, UT. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, brother Roy (Paulette) Holley, Kennewick, WA and sister Helen (Delwin) Holley Hansen, Bear River, UT. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Susan (Stan) Wells, brother Floyd Holley and sisters Lucille Holley Holste and Rose Holley.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2007 at the Hillsdale Ward, 3150 South 3400 West, West Valley City. A viewing will be held at the church one hour prior to services, where friends and family may call. Interment will follow at Ben Lomond Cemetery in North Ogden, Utah.