Blanche B. Ward 79, of Libby

Blanche B. Ward passed away on Dec. 21, 2011, at her home in Libby. 

She was born Dec. 7, 1932, in Spokane, Wash., to William (Bing) and Bernice Jones Pelleberg. 

Blanche graduated from North Central School in Spokane and received a degree in education from the University of Idaho.

She stayed involved in education for the next 50 years, including teaching English and PE in several schools and substitute teaching, school secretary, cheerleader advisor and athletic coach.

Blanche was involved with golf in Libby, including serving on the Cabinet View Country Club Golf Board, headed Junior Golf and also served on the State Board of Directors. She made two hole-in-one at Cabinet View Country Club. She was inducted into the Montana State Women’s Golf Association Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2009 she was honored for her many years of service to the Association and was thanked for “paving the way and making the Montana State Women’s Golf the association it is today.”

Blanche currently holds the ladies’ high score at Libby Bowling Lanes.

Blanche was active in St John’s Hospital Auxiliary, serving two terms as president. She also served two years as regional secretary of the state Hospital Auxiliary.

She volunteered at the St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Gift Shop and served on many other committees for local organizations.

She also was a member of the Red Hat Society.

She enjoyed playing cards, especially her two current bridge groups and pinochle with her family.

Other interests include gardening and needlework. Blanche traveled throughout the country.  Some of her favorite places included Multnomah Falls, the Oregon Coast, Mount Hood and the Golden Gate Bridge. 

No matter where her travels took her, she was noted for her skill in observing scenery and wildlife.  The spring and fall trips to the Oregon Coast with Bert and visiting family and friends on the trips were greatly anticipated.

Blanche was preceded in death by her parents Bernice Caroline Pelleberg and William (Bing)  Pelleberg and her daughter, Katherine Jean Glazebrook.

Blanche is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bert Ward of Libby; daughters Barbara Ward of Vancouver, Wash.; Evelyn Hilt and husband, Dr. Clint Hilt of Dutton, Mont.; a son Bob Ward and wife, Robin Jerke of Lake Oswego, Ore.; son-in-law Glenn Glazebrook and wife, Danielle Keno of Ore.; grandchildren Blair Ward, Ian Glazebrook, Alisha Glazebrook, Ryan Thompson, Aaron Bissell, and Paul Bissell; great-grandchildren Olivia Bissell and Jasper Glazebrook; and a brother Bob Pelleberg and wife, Gayle of Newport, Wash.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 at the Libby Christian Church, 100 Kootenai River Road. 

Memorials may be made to Paint It Pink; Wings; or St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary. 

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Libby.