Blanche Rose Avery

Blanche Rose Avery will be in our hearts forever as a loving mother and mother-in-law; caring grandmother, great-and great-great grandmother; loyal sister and kind aunt. All will miss her laughter, friendship and loving ways. Blanche, 94, of Albany, took the hand of an angel and her soul lifted on her heavenly path on Saturday, June 13, at her home.
Blanche was born Dec. 11, 1920, in Webster, South Dakota, to Henry and Rose Miller. She was the fourth of 10 children. Her parents and five brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. She lived in Mott, North Dakota, and in her early childhood lived in a sod house on the family farm.
She attended schools in Mott and New England, North Dakota, graduating from Mott High School.
Blanche married Herbert Joseph Avery on Nov. 4, 1941, in Ray, North Dakota.
Blanche and Herb moved to Oregon in 1941 and lived in the Willamette Valley and on the coast. She lived most of her life in Corvallis and Albany.
Blanche was preceded in death by her husband (1979) and their daughter, Catherine Rose Lewis (2014).
She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Nickerson (Hugh) of Concord, California, Mary Garrison of Sacramento, California, and Teresa Avery of Oregon City; sons Ronald Avery (Rhea) and Mark Avery (Patricia Eich) of Albany; sister Agatha Harbac of Bozeman, Montana; and brother Frank Miller of Mott, North Dakota.
Blanche enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and Scrabble, as well as painting. She had special talents for sewing, crocheting, needlepoint and embroidery. Her hands were always active. She had a strong belief in God and was active in her church until her mobility decreased.
In her honor, a rosary and viewing will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, June 22, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home in Albany. A funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albany. A graveside service will follow the Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Corvallis. A reception at 1:15 p.m. will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albany, where memories and stories may be shared.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Benton Hospice Service, 2350 N.W. Professional Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330 or St. Mary's Catholic Church, 706 Ellsworth S.W., Albany, OR 97321 in memory of Blanche.