Blanche Okerson, 94, of Velva, ND, formerly of rural Coleharbor, ND, died April 26, 2015 at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM Friday, May 1st at Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake with Pastor Randy Emgarten officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 PM in Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Coleharbor, ND.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Turtle Lake.

Blanche was born August 25, 1920 at the Peterson homestead, northeast of Turtle Lake, ND, to Marcus G. & Edith T. (Peterson) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, north of Turtle Lake, and was active with the St. Olaf Luther League. She attended the rural Crooked Lake School #2 from grades one through eight and completed high school in Turtle Lake, graduating in 1938. Following high school, Blanche was involved with the National Youth Association and the NYA School Library in Turtle Lake. From 1938 to 1946, Blanche worked for McLean County serving in the Draft Office, the County Extension Office, and for the Agricultural Adjustment Association. Blanche was instrumental in collecting history and photos and writing the history of Malcolm Township families for the McLean county history book. In her later years, she volunteered at the Prairieview Nursing Home in Underwood.

Blanche married Clarence E. Okerson on April 13, 1946 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Together they lived and farmed north of Coleharbor, ND for many years where they raised their children. Blanche was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church and served as a Sunday School Superintendent and teacher for many years. She also served as Treasurer for the church, held offices with the Ladies Aid, and was involved in many Lutheran Brotherhood church activities.
Blanche enjoyed being part of social organizations as well, holding positions in the local Homemakers Club and being a member of the Moose Lodge, where she enjoyed dancing with her husband, relatives, and friends.

Throughout her life, Blanche enjoyed gardening and canning. She would often visit shut-ins and ill neighbors and offer them baked goods and meals. Known for her servant's heart, she would welcome lost hunters, or people stranded by vehicle into her home, making sure that food and coffee were readily available.

Blanche and her husband Clarence retired from farming in 2005. They continued to make their home on the farm until moving to Valley View Manor of Velva in November 2007. Blanche later entered the Souris Valley Care Center where she resided until her passing.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Clarence Okerson of Velva; three daughters & sons-in-law, Jerrilyn (Wally) Johnson of Butte, ND, Genelle (Rich) Vollmert of Georgetown, TX, & Karen (Bob) Voth of Benedict, ND; seven grandchildren, Lance (Carlie) Voth, Dustin (Yolanda) Voth, Travis (Kelly) Voth, Tyler (Rena) Johnson, Cole Johnson, Jennifer Vollmert, & Quinn (Cristina) Vollmert; five great-grandchildren, Gavin Voth, Emeril Voth, Leeland Voth, Thaddeus Voth, & Jocelyn Voth; two step-grandchildren, Sharian Johnson & Beth (Ron) Pigeon, Jr.; two step-great grandchildren, Amber & Megan Pigeon; one brother and three sisters-in-law, Merlin & Violet Nelson of Bismarck, Ruth Nathan of Turtle Lake, & Mary Ann Nelson of St. Paul, MN; one sister, Maureen Hochsprung of Garrison; two sisters-in-law, Violette Okerson of Turtle Lake, & Lorraine Zwicker of Bismarck; brother-in-law, G.G. Henne of Minot; and many nieces and nephews.

Blanche was preceded in death by her parents, one son (Larry Okerson), great grandson (Jake Voth), brothers & sisters-in-law (Orval Nelson, Neil & Dorothy Nelson, Donnell & Virginia Nelson), sisters & brothers-in-law (Frances & Walter Bastian, Eunice Bradford & her husbands Irv Bauer and Milton Bradford), Bob Hochsprung and brothers & sisters-in-law of Clarence's side (Myrtle & Arnold Hanson, Eleanor & Ralph Keel, Evelyn & Earl Keel, Florence & Elmer Zwicker, Anna & Elmer Keel, LaVern (Arnold) Schumaier, Mildred Henne, Harold & Martha Okerson, & Ervin Okerson).

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor's choice – St. Olaf Memorial Fund, Bethel Lutheran Cemetery Fund, Buckstop Junction/Bethel Lutheran Church Restorative Fund, Camp of the Cross, or Souris Valley Care Center/Valley View Manor of Velva.