Obituary of Blanche THOMPSON

Blanche Thompson, 88, of Lake Havasu City, died on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 as a result of complications from Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert P. Thompson; two sons, Robert Thompson of Santa Cruz, California, and Dana Thompson (Nancy) of Morrisville, North Carolina; and a stepdaughter, Patience Kramer of Wilmette, Illinois. She also leaves behind four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.Blanche was born on February 21, 1920, in Leader, Saskatchewan, to Selmer K. and Clara Mathilda Gryde. At age three, she moved with her parents to Hollywood, California. A graduate of Fairfax High School in Hollywood, Blanche studied accounting at UCLA and was employed in the credit department of General Petroleum prior to her marriage to Bob Thompson. As their family grew up, she returned to school, studying at Harbor College (Los Angeles) to become a medical secretary and worked for a number of years in that field. Baptized and raised in the Hollywood Presbyterian Church, Blanche considered a calling to the ministry and attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, for a year in 1942. Blanche was a member of Community Presbyterian Church and, later, St. Michael's United Methodist Church, in Lake Havasu City.Blanche was well regarded by all who knew her for her kind and gracious manner. In her youth, she was member of the International Order of Job's Daughters and was elected Honored Queen of the Hollywood Bethel. An avid reader, Blanche also enjoyed painting and most sports, including hunting and fishing. Long-time residents of Southern California prior to moving to Lake Havasu City 20 years ago, Blanche and Bob spent long hours together on their boat off the California coast. Blanche also joined her husband flying, but declined to obtain her pilot's license, preferring to be a passenger instead on their numerous trips that ranged from jaunts to Catalina Island to hunting and camping areas in nearby Coastal and Mountain States.Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens. Words of comfort and inspiration will be presented by Rev. Richard Rounds.Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.comArrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.