Blanche Pauline Ballenger

Blanche Pauline Ballenger, age 97, died Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at First Christian Church with Pastor Wes Winn officiating. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to First Christian Church, 305 SW H Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 or Wildlife Images, PO Box 36, Merlin, Oregon 97532.

Blanche was born January 15, 1912 in Iowa Falls, Iowa to Raymond & Ruth Koppes. At age 5, her family moved to California. She graduated from Owensmouth High School in Canoga Park, California in 1931. In high school she participated in many activities and became a very good artist doing leather work, drawings and other artistic mediums.

On December 24, 1932 she married Donovan B. Ballenger in Reseda, California. In 1946, the family, now with two children, moved to the Jerome Prairie area where they tended their small farm on Applegate Avenue for 33 years. In 1951 Blanche began a 22-year career as a school cook at the Jerome Prairie School where she was loved by students and staff.

In October 1979 Don, her husband of 48 years, passed away. Blanche moved to a mobile home park where she lived for 5 years before moving to an apartment in Grants Pass. She lived there for another 16 years. As age took its toll, she moved to The Suites, an assisted living facility.

Blanche was always active in her church – first with Jerome Prairie Community Church, then Redwood Christian Church, and finally Grants Pass First Christian Church.

During her lifetime Blanche participated in a host of activities. They ranged from farming, needlework, rubber stamp art, all kinds of crafts, reading and watching television. She especially enjoyed Bible studies at her church. After her husband died, she traveled throughout the country with guided tour groups with her many friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Lois Pearce of Grants Pass; a son, Robert Ballenger and wife Susan of Portland; two grandchildren, David Ballenger and wife Carrie of Grants Pass and Jennifer Hillman and husband Marty of Portland; three great-grandchildren, Sienna, Jacob, and Tanner; and close family friend, Ronald Wilkins. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Ben Ballenger.

Blanche was a good and kind lady who spent her life giving to others. Her smile came from her heart, and she will truly be missed by family and friends.