Beverly Blanding

Beverly Jean Blanding, age 67, formerly of Greenville, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2014 after a valiant fight against a deadly MRSA infection. The daughter of Vernon & Ethel (Rogers) Bliss, she was born on September 18, 1946 in Greenville and was a 1964 graduate of Greenville High School. She earned bachelors degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from Grand Valley State University and subsequently worked in several capacities in both warehouse management and for Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital. On Feb. 11, 2005 at Kentwood Community Church, she married her high school sweetheart Daniel S. Blanding III. Together they enjoyed time with family and began to travel, first as Dan had a short retirement career as an over the road trucker, and then when they bought a motor home. They later bought a fifth wheel and were anticipating more time in some of their favorite places to visit. Bev loved History, Geography, and Architecture. Together, with her adventurous spirit, they were looking forward to many more experiences of discovery and exploration and just plain fun. Bev had been an active parent in her childrens lives. She volunteered untold hours in an unbelievable variety of administrative and leadership positions in Brownie and Girl Scout Troops, 4-H, PTA, etc. She was always there for her children and even when they had poor times, she made sure her children always felt that their life was full of fun and love. Even when they were grown and away from home, she continued to care for them and support them in every thing they did. And she was proud of all of her children every day of their lives. She truly was a mother to be treasured and loved - and she was and still is. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Ethel Bliss. Surviving are her husband, Dan Blanding, who is still deeply in love with her; her children, Tammy Holmden of Grand Rapids, Bonita & Rick Stevens of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Floyd Chase Nobis of Lyons, Thomas & Jaime Holmden of Kansas City, Missouri; a step-son, Michael Blanding of Winchester, Kentucky; nine grandchildren, Cieristin, Marcus, and Derek Palmer, Keith Palacio, Nick and Trevor Nobis, Tommy, Noah, and Liam Holmden; two great-grandchildren, Breana Hope Palacio and Abran Pantoja; two brothers, James Bliss of Greenville, and Wayne Bliss of Kingston, Nevada; two sisters, Rosemary Kalinowski of Gowen, and Joan White of Gowen; (though it should be noted that baby sis Joan lead Bev out to the R.V. lifestyle and and middle sister recently followed as all three sisters enjoyed a short time together down in the Rio Grand Valley of Southern Texas); many nieces and nephews; plus a host of family and extended family for virtually almost anyone Beverly met immediately became like her family she loved everybody!!! To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Beverly Blanding, please visit our flower store.