Blanche E. Smith, age 100, of Perham, MN died Saturday, November 17, 2012 at Perham Living.
Blanche was born on July 30, 1912, the daughter of Preston W. and Alfare E. (Johnson) Hill in Richfield, MN. Blanche participated in every sport she could in school, lettering in all of them and going on to set many sports records. After high school, Blanche was united in marriage to William M. Smith on December 29, 1933. She worked as a nurse at St. James Nursing Home in Perham and the Otter Tail Nursing Home, rural Battle Lake. Blanche loved keeping up with current events. She read about 3 books a week along with local newspapers, Time and National Geographic magazines. She will be remembered for her positive attitude, her kindness and thoughtfulness, and her gracious spirit.
Preceding Blanche in death are her parents; her husband; daughters, Elizabeth Edwards and Mary Ruth Sutton; grandson, Donald Eugene Cook Jr.; brother, Benjamin Hill; and sisters, Clara Lessard, Genevieve Schwartz, and Janet Graham.
Surviving Blanche are her daughters, Jean Lillis of Perham, MN and Cathy Batman of Perham, MN; brother, David P. Hill of CA; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren.