Blanche Weston Mcneil Bouwhuis

Our beloved mother, Blanche Weston McNeil Bouwhuis returned home to her Heavenly Father on January 10, 2018 at the age of 100. She was born Nov. 10, 1917, to Joseph Weston and Lydia Marley Weston in Laketown, Utah.
She was the youngest of her siblings Marva, Lorin and Leah. Mom grew up on the farm with her siblings. They played games with the neighborhood children like Hike and Seek, Kick the Can and Run Sheepie Run.
Mom worked hard on the farm but also made time to play in the barn, make mud pies, cut out paper dolls from the Sears catalog, build furniture from cardboard boxes, ride her horse, and she went on many wagon trips with her Dad.
She looked forward to the holiday dances, and loved riding across the ice-covered Bear Lake in a horse-drawn sleigh. Mom attended school at North Rich in Laketown where she played basketball, the saxophone and sang in school plays.
Mom met Dad, Lathan McNeil, at a dance and they were married July 3, 1935. Together they raised four children. They enjoyed gardening, fishing and dancing. They were seen many times in parades square dancing on floats. They also taught dancing for their church road shows. Mom cared for newborn babies for 28 years while she worked at the old Logan LDS Hospital. Throughout the years Mom would often have mothers stop her just to thank her for taking such great care of their babies during her time there.
After Dad passed away in 1976, Mom married Albert Bouwhuis on March 12, 1979. They enjoyed ballroom dancing at the Hyrum Elite Hall, fishing, and going on bus trips with their friends. Mom and Albert made many good memories together. Bert passed away on March 12, 2013.
Our mother blessed the lives of many people with her exceptional talents, bright mind and sharp intelligence- qualities she possessed right until the end. She was an exceptional seamstress, artist and cook, and she shared her knowledge of her skills with her children and many others. Mom’s favorite hobbies were her gardens, crocheting, quilting, and gardening- she especially had a gift for growing beautiful roses. She also enjoyed playing cards with her friends and visiting her children.
Blanche is survived by her children: Alberta (Gerald) Bodrero, Carolyn McNeil and Weston (Vicki) McNeil, and her step-children: Sterling (Barbara) Bouwhuis, Miles (Lesa) Bouwhuis, Kyle (Moana) Bouwhuis, Kevin (Sarah) Bouwhuis and Lynette (Brent) Palmer. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who love her and whom she loved dearly- too many to keep track of! At the time of her passing Blanche currently has 30 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren and at least 27 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lydia Shyrleen McNiel, along with her parents, siblings, and both husbands.
Mom’s steadfast faith and love for her Father in Heaven and her Savior, Jesus Christ, along with her love and commitment to her family will always be a valuable example for everyone whose lives she has touched. What a wonderful reunion that must have taken place as her Father in Heaven welcomed her back to her Heavenly home! We love you Mom, Grandma, Great-grandma and Great-great-grandma. Thank you for all of the lessons, loyalty, learning and love! Until we meet again!
Blanche’s family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt Thank You to all of the amazing staff at Williamsburg Retirement Community, especially to Sam, Brandi and Liz who took such great care of Mom while she was there. She loved them like her own!
Funeral services are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary, and will take place Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the Meadowlane Ward building, 180 South 485 West, Providence, UT., beginning at 11:00 AM. There will be a viewing prior from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, and interment will take place in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed online at www.allenmortuaries.net