Blonquist Family

Annual Labor Day tradition with Nana 2004

Labor Day 2008

Thanksgiving 2009

Condolences

Every once in a while, by the sheer grace of God, a blessing is bestowed upon our life in a single moment, a blessing that will forever improve us in such a way that we can scarcely comprehend it until time has past and the blessing has unrolled and presented itself fully in all it's greatness. Some of our greatest blessings come to us totally unannounced, almost as if they slip in the back door when we are not watching. They settle in upon us so subtly we have no clue as to the tremendous worth and richness they will add to our lives. And we go about living one day after the next, never fully taking stock of what surrounds us, until one day, years down the road, when in a single moment that same blessing slips from us as subtly as it arrived and we are faced with the complete loss of what we really had. Suddenly we stop, stunned only to feel the pain in our hearts as our comprehension becomes crystal clear as to the worth of it all. It is a wise individual who values what is before him and cherishes it while it is with him. 
I speak of these things because that is how I came to know Eleanor. Suddenly, one day she was just there. She came into my life so subtly, unannounced, a blessed gift in the making. Little did I know she would become one of the greatest blessings I would ever come to grace my life. 
Lucky for me, it didn't take me long to realize what God had given me. In every way possible Eleanor always was and always will be, a guiding light in my life! Her wisdom knew no boundaries and extended out to every characteristic trait any human could possess. From kindness to tact, Eleanor had it all. She always knew what to say and when to say it. She was educated, honest, loyal, a defender of truth, a friend in the greatest sense of the word and above all else she had a spiritual heart as well as a giving heart. Eleanor was one of the purest examples of love I have ever met. In some of my roughest trials in life, Eleanor was always the first person I turned to for direction. And without fail, I always came away with exactly what a wounded confused soul needed. In those beginning years of our relationship, I lost a son and there were many times she spoke wisdom to my aching heart. If I had any problem, Eleanor always had wisdom and comfort for me. Her wise words were always a light in my life. 
There are so many things I could say about Eleanor. The list could extend into the eternities. I'll miss how she taught me to play cards, Hand and Foot, and never forget, a card laid is a card played ---you better not take your finger off it. She was a stickler for rules. In my life I will never lack for found memories of one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. Oh, how I love her. Her example of how to live life will always be with me. 
One thing I always said to her, "Eleanor, I hope I can grow up to be even half the woman you are! If I can just rise above myself that far, I will have really accomplished something." I meant it too. Anyone would have to strive long and hard to come anywhere close to this woman's sheer incredibleness! There is no doubt in my mind the mansion she has earned for herself in the life she now stands in. And she leaves a hole here no one can fill.
I love you Eleanor! And when I think of monumental blessings in my life that are rich beyond measure I will think of YOU! My comprehension of your worth in my life is crystal clear! May God bring me someday to where you are! May I live worthy of that. I know you are with Glade and with my Corbin..... and my mission now becomes a tough one, living worthy to be with those I love more than life itself. Hug them for me. Thanks for being a great lady, an example to all, excellence in its finest! Love you so much! (Faye Crowther)

Faye Crowther, Ogden, UT

Condolences

Eleanor was a guiding light and comforting soul to those of us who knew her. I’m sure was that to everyone she met throughout her life.
— Howard Toburen

Our thoughts and prayers are with you today as you honor the life of your mother. We trust your emotional experiences today and in coming days as you mourn and adjust to your new lives will deepen the doctrinal understandings your mother has taught you all your lives.
— Vic and Donna Dietz

I have many great memories in the home of Eleanor and Blain Blonguist. I appreciate the time spent with this wonderful family of my youth.
— Rod Atack

A beautiful woman and a beautiful soul. We will miss your mother.
--Norma Bird

Condolences

Laurie, Jim and Noel,
I am so sad this morning that I can’t come to Eleanor’s funeral because I’ve been sick all night. My mother was going to come with me and she will be very sad as well.
I just want you all to know that she and Blaine changed my life forever in extremely significant ways. As a new clarinet student in 6th grade, your dad found out I was from Utah, asked me if I was LDS and when I said I didn’t know, he waited to talk to my mother and invited us all to church. The entire rest of my life since then has been blessed, including whom I married and what my children and grandchildren (and two new great-grandchildren) base their beliefs on.
That invitation led me to seminary where they were both incredible teachers who gave me a strong gospel foundation that has not only blessed me personally, but hundreds of children, youth, adults and investigators in three missions ( and another inner-city mission beginning next week) that I have taught over the years. My children and grandchildren have and are serving missions, teaching and raising strong families because of that foundation.
When I was in college, they saved me from breaking off my engagement with Mike by inviting me to live with them and go to school at Weber where we could spend more time together. What a choice experience that was. I loved every second of being in their home. They loved me just like a daughter and we had so much fun together. Never once did I feel like a burden on them, which I probably was. I even got to share my bedroom with little Nathan a couple of times.
When your parents and mine both moved to Utah and Mom and Eleanor became widows, they became best friends and Eleanor taught my mom how to write poetry, which she became really good at. Eleanor married Lauren and introduced Mom to Lauren’s best friend, Ben Farr and the two couples did a lot of double dating. Mom hadn’t been active in the church for several years, so Eleanor went to work on her and before long, Mom became active, got married in the temple to Ben, went on a mission togetther to Arizona and became temple workers when they got back home.
When Eleanor was the stake Relief Society president, she was assigned to do a big display at the Relief Society Building in Salt Lake. Unbeknownst to her, I was also the stake Relief Society president in Syracuse and was assigned to do a display in Salt Lake as well. I don’t remember how our paths crossed during that VERY stressful time, but when they did, she counseled with me several times on how to make the whole process easier and more meaningful. What a blessing she was to me – again.
When Blaine died, she wanted me to sing with the family at his funeral. I was so honored to think that she felt like I was part of the family. You all did and I am so grateful for that experience. I also sang a solo at his funeral, which was a great honor as well.
This all is just really a small glimpse of the many, many great experiences and blessings I have enjoyed because of your parents. My mind has just been flooded with memories, all of which are sweet.
I would have loved to see you all and heard all of the tributes given at her funeral and so would have my mother. I’m very sad that we can’t be there, but please know that we loved your mother, cherished our time with her, and look forward to seeing her beautiful high-cheek-boned face and hearing her throaty laugh in the next life.
Love,
Mike and Connee Garrett
Marietta (Mickey) Brown
— Connee Garrett

Family Reunion 1991

The Crowthers

Blaine and Eleanor

Eleanor with her children

Noel and Ursula

Vedana and Sam's Family

The Crowther Years

Eleanor and Lorin

Blaine & Eleanor Blonquist Family

Cheyenne

1940's

Early Years

Tori Blonquist Powell

My beautiful and funny Nana passed away on Tuesday. This strong, independent, and classy lady taught me the value of old movies, late night hand and foot card games, and the traditions of Swedish Pancakes and corn chowder. She had some great stories and life experiences and taught us all to stand strong for our beliefs and family values. She worried about her family and loved us pretty fiercely whether we were near or far. She wasn't afraid to state her opinion and she had so...me amazing talents. One little story about her-- in 2008 when I had decided to go to Africa for the first time I went up to visit her and she let me know how concerned she was about this. She did not think it was a good idea and wanted to understand why I would travel across the world to Africa to live for months and put myself in danger and maybe even affect my future opportunities negatively. I thought about what she felt and had said and we ended up staying up late and reading the scriptures and having a wonderful Spiritual experience together. She was able to understand that I needed to go to Africa that summer and that God supported that decision. She then gave me $50 cash to use in Africa "just in case" and gave me her blessing.... Fast forward 3 months later and my group and I were stuck at the border of Rwanda and Uganda bc they were charging us $50 re entry fee that we had not known about. We had spent all of our money in Rwanda and were scrounging to get back across the border. We were stressed, we were stuck, we were worried. And then, I remembered th $50 cash from Nana I had hidden in my wallet "just in case" an emergency came up. Thanks Nana! I was able to get back into the country safely.
That was just the beginning of my many adventures that Nana supported. I felt her prayers and love thousands of miles away across the sea many times. Love her so much and grateful she hung on this long to watch me (the youngest Blonquist grandchild) grow up, get married, and meet my Boston Reed. ‪#‎grateful‬ ‪#‎nana‬ ‪#‎herlegacy‬

Melissa Jensen Warren

Memories provided by Melissa Warren
*My earliest memories with Nana are at her house in Ogden. She would let us dress up in her clothes and jewelry and then we would put on plays in the backyard. I am not sure how long we made everyone sit and watch but she was always very kind and told us how much she loved to watch.
*I spent a summer with Nana when I was about 12 years old. We had a great time together, Nana went out of her way to entertain me. She took me to Lagoon and we spent time crocheting and sewing. I even sewed my own swim suit that summer. However, when I wore it to the pool I noticed a couple of good sized holes in some not so great places. I guess my stitches did not hold very great. Everytime I think of that I remeber Nana and the good time we had working on it together. We also loved to eat ice cream from the creamery in Logan. Also at this time Nana was living in Harrisville near the Crowther family. I was very lucky to get to know the Crowthers and spent the summer with many of the cousins that were my age. Nana loved the Crowthers and they always showed so much kindness and concern for her.
*I also remember everytime we came to Nana's house after a long drive from Nebraska she had corn chowder for all of us to eat. I remember how good that always tasted. A few years ago I called Nana and asked her for the recipe. She was very reluctant to give it to me but finally relented. I wondered why she would be so hesitant and realized after she gave me all of the ingredients and the secret tricks that she didn't want me to know how much fat was in it. Now everytime I make it I laugh about that.
*Nana always loved to be to the special events in our lives. Baptisms, blessings, marriages, etc. She always told me how much she loved to be there even as it got harder for her to go.
*Playing cards with Nana was always a fun experience. Nana took her card games very seriously.
*Nana also loved music and cultural experiences. While I was in college I had the opportunity to go with Mom and Nana to the Shakespearean festival in Cedar City. We had the best time going from one show to the other.
*My kids fondest memories are going up to the condo and swimming during the summer. She always loved us to come and afterwards she had hot dogs, or ice cream, or smoothies for us. They also remember the $2.00 bills that Nana would always send on everyone's birthdays. We also had the opportunity to put up Nana's Christmas decorations for a few years. As we would do this she would tell us the history behind specific ornaments or decorations and the kids loved to look at her Christmas tree made from her jewelry.
*Nana always made sure the kids had things to play with whenever they visited. Even the week before she passed away when we were visiting her she made sure the kids got the toys out and that they had a treat when they left.
*I am so grateful for the wonderful influence she has been in my life. She truly valued the relationships that she had with others and I always felt loved by her. I will always treasure her poetry and histories that she has written and am grateful for the life that she lived.

Holly Holbrook

Some of my favorite memories with Nana. Provided by Holly Holbrook
I always loved to hear Nana play the piano. My two favorite songs were "Robin's Return" and "The Music Box Dancer". Every time I visited, I asked her sit down and play these songs for me. Of course, she always obliged. Eventually, she gave me the music so I could learn these songs, and I still can't play them as well as she did. Her talents in music as well as writing always amazed me. Although I majored in En...glish and enjoy writing, I never had a talent for writing poetry. I love to read her poetry and reliving her experiences through her written word.

I also will never forget the summer I spent with Nana during the summer before 7th grade. She entertained me, as well as my other cousins, by teaching us how to golf, how to play cards, and of course, how to make Swedish pancakes.
I remember Nana's love of the scriptures and how much she enjoyed teaching the Book of Mormon. She loved to read and of course loved to watch good classic movies. This is something she shared with both my mother and me. One of the last times she visited me, she gave me some beautiful movies based on the lives of the great composers such as Edward Grieg, Listz and so on. I will always cherish the legacy she left behind for me to seek out the "virtuous, lovely, and of good report."

Debbie Jensen Hildreth

Memories provided by Debbie Jensen Hildreth
As a young girl living in Nebraska, I always looked forward to our summer trips to Utah. One thing I looked forward to the most was spending time with my grandmas. I felt like I had a special relationship with Nana, but that is how she made everyone feel.
When I think of Nana, I think of a beautiful, poised, cultured women. I knew she loved the Lord and loved the gospel by the way she lived her life. I always admired the way she co...uld write and put her feelings into words, her poems.

Some of my favorite memories of Nana was staying with her in Ogden and listening to her Opera music. I didn't understand a thing that was going on, but as we sat together on the couch she explained the sad stories to me. I just remember the feeling of the music and the deep sadness that was in it as they sang. Every time I hear Opera music, I think of Nana.
Nana was so patient with us. Holly, Melissa, Shauna, Brenda and I would love to put on Nana's dress up clothes and put on shows in her backyard in Ogden. We would have Nana come out and watch us as we would perform. I know now that she would of probably liked to be doing other things, put she patiently sat and watch our play and made us each feel like we were playing on Broadway.
One of my favorite and funniest memories of Nana was when Holly, Melissa, Shauna, and I went with mom and Nana to mom's 25th class reunion in Cheyenne. I had so much fun seeing and learning all about where mom and Nana lived and meeting all their friends, but when it came to sleeping at night, that was another story. We all shared a room together and Nana's snoring was so bad that all of us girls ended up on the floor, in the closet, in the bathroom with pillows over our heads. We were trying to find any place we could get away from that noise. We ended up staying up all night laughing, and we weren't laughing quietly either, we were hoping that we would wake up Nana but nothing we did disturbed her sleep. At least one person got a good night sleep that night. We tried to tell her the next day why we were so tired, but no way would she believe us!
I feel so blessed to have had such wonderful women for examples in my life. Nana, is one of those women. I love that she stood up for what was right, that she raised a righteous family, and was an example in the way she lived to the very end. I love her very much and hope that I too can become a woman like her.

Nathan Jensen

Provided by Nathan Jensen
Nana was always so thoughtful and kind, never forgetting a birthday. She always made me feel special and always gave encouraging words. She was always interested in my life and what I was doing.
When Amy passed away, Nana was there to give me encouraging words and comfort. She truly knew what it was like to lose a spouse and the pain and sorrow involved. I could feel her empathy and compassion, and I felt truly understood.

Lorin Jensen

Memories provide by Lorin Jensen.
I have many wonderful memories of Nana.
She was and is a very special grandmother and I will cherish all the times and opportunities I had to be with her. When I was a young boy, Nana and Papa Blaine took Rich and I to Yellowstone National Park several times. We loved to ride in Papa's white pickup and camper and view the sites from the big front window in the camper. Rich and I were a hand full when we were young and Nana was so patient and ...loving to us. It was always a treat to go camping and spend time with Nana and Papa.

We could always expect her Swedish pancakes on every visit to her house.
When I was a teen ager, Rich and I drove out from Nebraska to wrestling camp at BYU. While we were in Utah we went to visit Nana in Ogden. We had some free time and Rich and I were surprised when Nana suggested going to watch the movie JAWS at the theater. We thought it would be a little weird going to a movie with our Grandma but we went and had an awesome time.
Rich, Nana and I shared mission time together. All three of us were in mission field at one point and I thought it was cool. I loved getting her letters of encouragement and support and we shared a special missionary spirit of love and service.
Later, when Sue and I were living in Provo and going to BYU, I had to have a kidney operation and Nana was the first one to the hospital to support me and give Sue and I companionship, comfort and love. I vaguely remember this but Sue said that when I was coming out of anesthesia, I yelled "Shuuuut Uuuup" because Nana was continuously talking, talking, talking in my recovery room. This didn't faze Nana, she just said, "Sue, lets go out into the waiting room and talk and let Lorin sleep." I feel bad because I never did tell Nana sorry for yelling "shut up".
Nana knew the importance of family and made herself available to all the important events in my life, my baptism, Ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, leaving and returning from my mission, several Temple experiences together, my wedding and many others.
Her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is unwavering and solid. She has always been a wonderful example to me of how to be a righteous servant and loving person.
I will always love Nana and hope to live my life in such a way that I will to be able to see her again and be part of her eternal family.
Thank you for being my wonderful Nana.
Lorin Jensen

Sue Jensen

Memories provided by Sue Jensen.
I have so many great memories of Nana but I will quickly share just two:
When the girls were little and on a clogging team, we would travel to St. George every summer so they could compete at the Tuacahn. Nana would always insist we visit her for her famous corn chowder dinner. It became a yearly tradition until she sold her place down there. The kids would look forward every year to visiting with her, listening to her many family stories and... eating her amazing corn chowder.

Nana loved to write poetry. One time while we were visiting her in St. George, Jake went out to play in the yard. He was about 6 years old. Shortly after, we all came outside to leave and he ran up to Nana to give her a big, yellow dandelion he had picked for her. It was sweet how she acted so touched and grateful. Someone happened to snap a picture right at the moment he presented it to her. Nana kindly took a big sniff of that weed to show Jake her gratitude for his little gift. As we got in the car and drove away, we jokingly wondered if it had given her allergies after smelling that nasty thing! We never thought about that moment again until a few weeks later, we received in the mail, the picture of Jake handing her that dandelion and a beautiful poem she had written about that seemingly small and insignificant moment in time.
Jacob's Gift
Jacob picked a dandelion
Presented it to me,
A yellow full of allergens
He couldn't know or see.
I raised the blossom to the breeze To blow the pollen free,
But held fast to that sweet gift.
Love has no allergy.
This story really defines one of the qualities that made Nana so beautiful. She noticed and appreciated the little things in life and could remember and share those precious moments with everyone. It's what made her so interesting. It was a gift.

Rich Jensen

Memories provided by Rich Jensen
She always was willing to play a game before bedtime, if I was lucky we could get an exciting game going and stay up a little bit later than usual.
She taught us games like Mille Bornes classic Auto Race game, Flinch and then Rook. We felt like we made it to the big leagues when we could play team partners with her in Rook.
...

I remember fun family gatherings, parties and events she always seemed to be a teacher to her grandchildren sharing stories or events, clearly centered on the gospel and the church. She provided foundation for our testimonies to grow.
I remember we both went on mission together and writing each other about our investigators and companions while we were on our mission. Her strong testimony was evident in the way she lived her life.
Nana’s, life was a great example to me and my family; she is one of the foundation stones in my life that helped provide me with purpose and understanding of who I am and who we can become.
Love you, your number one grandson
Rich

Shannon Hildreth Merrill

Memories I have of Nana provided by Shannon Hildreth Merrill
When I was in 4-6th grade I was lucky enough to be able to spend about a week or 2 a summer with Nana. When she lived in her house that had lots of trees around it. I always had so much fun going there and felt like it was a magical place. In 5th grade we had to write a story and my story was inspired by Nana's house. It was called summer of the fairies. And Nana was a main character!
She would make Swedish pancake...s every day and every night I would sit down with her and we would watch old movies she had recorded or were her favorites. I remember one day she took me to get my hair cut at a hair school and I loved being with her and having her teach me about my appearance. Mom and Grandma Vedana came up later and said my hair was a chopped up mess!

Later on when I was in high school I would come and interview her for school projects where I would learn how she felt about things such as pearl harbor and what her life was like back then. She loved to talk about her life and i was glad to listen and learn from her. I would also come visit a lot and take my brothers and sisters swimming at her condo, and once a week clean her apartment.
When I was getting married she told me how she met great grandpa Blaine and their love story. When I was pregnant she told me of how her pregnancies were and how sick she was she couldn't even go into the kitchen, but at that time she didn't know she was pregnant she just thought there was something rotten in the cub boards or fridge and her mom had to tell her she was probably pregnant.
I would go visit her with Weston and she loved to talk, that Weston would try to keep his feet off the floor while sitting so he wouldn't fall asleep. But eventually he would give in and asleep he went and on Nana would talk!
She taught me some fun recipes and how to clean certain clothes or stains, but the best thing I've probably learned from her was how to be a righteous mom and wife. She had prophets and apostles in her house often and was able to serve them. So she taught me how to serve and how to leave a righteous legacy!
I love Nana and have lots of memories with her, but I'm glad she is reunited with grandma and her husband, and know she is happy. I wish I could come to the funeral but roads are bad and we won't be able to make it.
Love, Shannon

Deserey Crowther

Deserey Crowther and Grandma Eleanor. Des loved watching Shirley Temple movies with her! This was taken at one of our visits. Love and miss her dearly!

Funeral

November 2014