Gwen E. Blankenship

Gwendolyn Elaine Rogers Blankenship

Gwen was born November 29, 1924 in Barnesville, MN to Hazel (Emerson) Rogers and Earl E. Rogers. She attended school and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1942. She married Virgil Howard Blankenship on April 23, 1943 in Barnesville. They farmed in Prairie View Township where they raised their five children. Gwen was a member of St. James United Church of Christ in Barnesville.

Virgil and Gwen loved dancing, getting together with friends and traveling. They were in a car accident in October 1977 that changed their lives forever. Because of his injuries, Virgil was now a quadriplegic. They eventually moved to Mesa, AZ where Gwen was his constant caregiver and gave unselfishly the next 28 years.
Virgil passed away May 7, 2005 and Gwen returned to Minnesota to be closer to her family and friends.

She lived the last eight years in Moorhead, MN at Eventide Assisted Living Center.

She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil, her parents, two brothers – Wendell and Eugene and three sisters – Glennys Saxlund, Maxine Fankhanel and Neva Benedict.

She is survived by her five children – Roger (Val) Blankenship Blaine, MN, Susan (Jim) Robinson Vergas, MN, Connie (Craig) Deitrick Glendora, CA, Randy (Jackie) Blankenship Moorhead, MN, and Janet Morris Maple Grove, MN – 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Gwen's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm