Blanche N Roos

Blanche N. Roos, 96, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho on Friday, June 14, 2013. Blanche Nebeker Roos arrived as the seventh child of Aaron and Elizabeth Nebeker on the 17th day of March 1917 at Fairview, Wyoming. She married the love of her life, Walt Roos, in Salt lake City, Utah in 1933. Times were really hard for them during these depression years but they got along the best they could doing any work that was available in the Star Valley Wyoming area such as herding sheep and cattle for a local rancher which meant that the summers would be spent at the mountain sheep camp. Feeling that employment would be more plentiful in Nevada they packed up themselves, and their daughter, and took off looking for greener pastures. While waiting for a job at Tungsten mines to open up they took care of a chicken farm, getting along the best they could. Things now started to look much better, Walt did get work at the Tungsten Mill. They rented a house in Imlay, Nevada and their daughter started school. Then came World War II. Walt volunteered for the service leaving his family at home while he did his patriotic duty for his country serving under General Patton in Europe. During his years of service Blanche first settled in Salt Lake City living with a widowed cousin and her two daughters but later moved to Arsenal Villa in Roy, Utah. Here she could do her part for the war effort by working for Remington Arms, later she was employed at Hill Field as a truck driver. The war ended and Walt was stationed in Louisiana while awaiting discharge. Blanche took off from Utah with her daughter to drive to Louisiana to get him. They moved to Sandpoint next settling in the Selle area and later in Oden. They were able to start their dream of raising Hereford beef cattle. While Walt took care of the ranch Blanche worked first at Chris and Mays café as a waitress until she was employed by JC Penny where she stayed until her retirement. Times did indeed change for the better, they sold their ranch and cattle and for a few years lived in Plains, Montana where Walt was a herdsman for the Diehl Cattle Ranch. When it came time for Walt to retire they moved into their purchased home in Sandpoint, bought a fifth wheel trailer and started their winter treks to Arizona where they spent their winters for 25 years. They joined the Good Sams Club and were members of the Rainbow Chasers for summer camping enjoyment and loved it all making great friends along the way. Blanche is survived by her daughter LaRue Hiatt of Sandpoint and son Chip (Evan) Roos of Priest River, five grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her eight siblings and by Virgil Lowder a young man who shared her home for many of his young years. Blanche was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sandpoint Ward, Sandpoint Stake. She was a member of the Cowbells and was past President of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday the 28th of June at 11:00 am at the LDS Church, 602 Schweitzer Cut-Off Road, Sandpoint. The family will receive friends in the Relief Society room at 10:00 am to 10:45 am prior to services. Interment will be in Pack River Cemetery. The family extends their gratitude to the staff at Sandpoint Assisted Living for the loving care they gave Blanche.