Blanche Irene Gartman's Obituary
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, April 8th at 2:00 PM at Columbia Funeral Home. Mrs. Gartman passed away April 2nd at her home in St. Helens, Oregon, she was 92.
Blanche was born March 2, 1918 at Mitchell, South Dakota to Marsena Reitzel & Inez Norton Mohn.
She had one sister, Lois 2 years older and one brother, Clyde, 4 years older who preceded her in death.
In 1920, Blanche's father moved the family to St. Helens, then called Houlton, which is now West St. Helens. One more brother was born to the Mohn family here, Jonathan, who was killed in WWII while flying a mission over Germany.
The Family traveled the long dusty and rough roads from South Dakota in a Model T. Ford. They camped most nights in a tent along the way.
Blanche attended McBride School when it was located at Highway 30 and Vernonia Road, then graduated from St. Helens High School when it was located where the Lewis and Clark School is presently.
During her senior year she would spend Sunday afternoons watching the city baseball team play. After one particular game she asked the team's catcher, Marion "Lou" Gartman, if he wanted to share her chocolate bar. He turned down the candy bar, but walked Blanche home instead and a romance began. They married in 1936 and were married for 67 years, until his death in 2003.
Blanche enjoyed gardening, sewing, bird watching, playing the piano, ukulele and harmonica. In the early years she liked collecting stamps and coins. She loved listening to music and singing, especially the old hymns of the church.
After her two children were grown, Blanche worked as a bookkeeper for Cooper Auto Parts and the Rainier Auto Parts which Lou Purchased in 1954.
The Free Methodist Church influenced Blanche's young life and she gave her life to Christ, the Savior in 1923. Later the Yankton Baptist Church was an important part of her life. She lead singing, taught Sunday school classes, and sometimes played the piano. Most recently she attended Sunset Park Community Church.
Lou and Blanche enjoyed traveling in their moter home to the desert southwest for the winters. They took bicycles and would stop and explore small towns along the way. They both continued to ride their bikes until they were well into their 80's.
Blanche is survived by her son Leonard, her daughter-in-law Joyce, her daughter Jennine Lindberg, 4 grandchildren; Stephen, Michael and Matt Gartman, Sally Beavers and 10 great- grandchildren.
Memorial contribution may be made in her name to the Columbia County Gideons, PO Box 1478, St. Helens , OR 97051 so that bibles can be placed in one of the 170 countries the Gideons serve.
Viewing and visitation will be Wednesday 9-5 PM at Columbia Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: 2:00 PM Thursday 4/8/2010 at Columbia Funeral Home
Private interment will be held at Yankton Hillcrest Cemetery, St. Helens Oregon.
Online condolences can be made to the family at; www.columbiafh.com
Columbia Funeral Home - Directors
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