Blondina Wessel

10/30/1914 – 03/14/2012
Blondina Amanda Wessel, after 97 years and 4 months went to her heavenly home on March  14th, 2012. There, she joined her parents Ida and William Wessel, her sisters Viola Gorne and Vyra Loebrick and brother Lloyd. She was born Oct 30th 1914, and was raised on the family farm during the Great Depression, in Perham, Minnesota. In 1939, she followed her sister Viola and brother-in-law to Bellingham, working as the designer for their neon sign business, lighting up signs and store fronts up and down the streets of town. A masterful sign painter, Blondy applied freehand lettering in an artful way that no computers today could match. She was the first female member of the Sign Painters Union. After retiring she continued to pursue her passion for art and received many Blue Ribbons and the coveted Cavenaugh Award for her beautiful watercolors.
She was a member of the Whatcom Art Guild and Trinity Lutheran Church. She is survived by many nieces, including Marcia Thomas (Gordon) of Ferndale, a nephew, and many grand and great grand nieces and nephews. Many will miss our dear Aunt Blondy, but will remember her for the paintings that brought joy to our lives. She was a woman who loved spending a good time with the people she loved. The family is grateful for the compassionate caregivers at Eagle Ridge Assistant Living and Hospice to make her last days comfortable.