Blanche Ryer

5/23/1922 – 10/30/2011
Blanche Ryer died Oct. 30, 2011 in Bellingham of natural causes. She was 89 years young. Blanche was born May 23, 1922, in Midland, South Dakota, to Arthur and Charlotte Holmes, one of six children. The family moved from the Midwest to Montana, where Blanche graduated from Plains High School. After marriage, she moved to Washington State, settling in the Bellingham/Ferndale areas. She continued to reside here until her death. She was an active member of the Salvation Army church, belonging to their Home League and delivering their newsletters on Fridays. She made weekly visits to nursing homes all over Whatcom County for years and was also an active participant in trying to get the name for the northern area of Whatcom County changed to Pioneer County. Blanche loved to garden, read, knit and go camping and hunting with her late husband, Ray Ryer. Travel was another one of her joys and she was able to visit Europe twice and many of the 50 United States. She enjoyed meeting and sharing life stories with everyone she met. Blanche will be missed greatly by her family and everyone who knew her. Mrs. Ryer is survived by her sister Cleo (Plains, MT), brothers Frank (Sedro Woolley) and Marvin (Oklahoma) and her children and step-children: sons – Richard and Gary Kennedy, daughters-Barbara Jensen, Vicki Harper, Linda Ryer and Gail Ryer plus 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Her parents, brother, sister and two husbands preceded her in death. Donations in her name may be made to the Salvation Army, Whatcom Hospice or any charity of your choice. A basket for donations will be provided at the service. Visitation will be held at Westford Funeral Home on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 3-5 PM. A graveside service will be held at Greenacres Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 4th at 12 noon followed by a Memorial Service at 1 PM at the Salvation Army Church, 2912 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham. Major James E. Lloyd will officiate.