Obituaries - Oct. 22

Her grandparents were Oregon pioneers. Her mother told her that on the night she was born, Mosier turned on the elecric street lighting for the first time.

She had four sisters. Zelda Herman of Grants Pass, Ore., is her only surviving sibling.

She was married to her high school sweetheart, Don Blanchard, on Dec. 23, 1930, in Hood River, Ore. He preceded her in death in 1991. They had two sons, Dwaine Blanchard of Mosier and Gary Blanchard of Corvallis, Ore.

During their married life they moved extensively following Don’s work on road construction.

During 1943 they settled in Mosier and V’Ona became very involved in community affairs.

In 1948 they moved to Corvallis, and made many new friends.

They enjoyed taking trips to see friends and relatives. Many times they would meet at various camp sites in the Northwest.

V’Ona had fond and excellent memories of her childhood in Mosier and of the people she knew during her life time.

V’Ona was an accomplished quilt maker and crochet stitcher and enjoyed other forms of handicrafts until she lost her sight in recent years. Many of her handmade items are now family keepsakes.

She was instrumental in starting the annual high school reunion in Mosier. It was always a high point of her year.

In addition to her sister and two sons, she is survived by Dwaine’s wife, Jo, Gary’s wife, Marlene, six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. (Standard Time) on Sunday, Oct. 30, at Mosier Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Benton Hospice Service, 2350 N.W. Professional Dr., Corvallis, OR 97333.