Blanche Louise Johnson

Blanche Louise Johnson passed away peacefully October 20, 2025, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Ontario, Oregon.

She was born at home on the family farm south of Homedale on November 6, 1931, to Hobart Wood and Clara Annabelle (Swinney) Liddle. Blanche spent her childhood dividing her time between her father’s farm and her mother and stepfather’s ranch on Flint Creek near Jordan Valley. Life on the ranch was full of cherished memories bucking hay with her two favorite work horses, Nick and Babe, and catching pollywogs in the creek.

Blanche graduated from Homedale High School in 1949 and attended Ex-Cal-Cis Beauty College in Boise, where she earned her cosmetology license in 1950. During that time, she was courting Harold Johnson, who was serving in the Navy. After completing beauty school, Harold sent for her to join him in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they were married. Their marriage was a loving partnership that spanned 71 years, and together they raised four children: Gary, Richard, Debbie, and Danny.

Following Harold’s ten years of service, he was discharged from the Navy, and the couple returned to the Homedale area. Blanche worked as a beautician for 25 years, later as a professional house painter, and in the office at Vance Corp. After retirement, Blanche and Harold enjoyed spending winters golfing in Arizona and summers in Cascade, where they went dune buggying and fishing.

Blanche was a trailblazer in her community. She was the first woman to join the Homedale Ambulance Service as a volunteer EMT-A, serving for 12 years. She held the positions of secretary/treasurer and training officer for six years and taught CPR classes in the community for eight years. She also served as an Elder, Sunday school teacher, and sang in the choir for the Presbyterian church. She was a past president of the Homedale American Legion Auxiliary.  Blanche helped Reverend Alora establish the Homedale Senior Citizens organization and volunteered as an assistant 4-H horse leader.

A woman of many talents, Blanche loved to paint especially oil landscapes and tole art, and she was an accomplished seamstress. She sewed countless square-dance dresses and matching shirts for Harold, and the two shared many happy evenings dancing together. Her lifelong love of animals, particularly horses, was well known. She was an excellent horsewoman who often helped gather and move cattle in the Jordan Valley area.

Blanche was preceded in death by her parents, sister Darlene, husband Harold, and sons Richard and Danny. She is survived by her son Gary Johnson of Council, Idaho, and daughter Debbie (Steve) Kriegh of Adrian, Oregon. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Dani Jo (Harley) Wilson, John (Magda) Kriegh; Jennifer Johnson; Jeff Johnson; Shana Rowland; and Skipper Johnson; as well as several great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Blanche was a force to be reckoned with spirited, hardworking, and full of life. She often said her purpose was to help others, and she fulfilled that purpose every day of her life.

To honor Blanche’s memory, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Homedale Ambulance Service PO Box 905, Homedale, ID 83628.

We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to Ancora Health Services Hospice and the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living for their kindness, compassion, and devoted care.

A memorial service will be held to honor both Harold and Blanche on November 7th at 1:00 p.m. at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, 27 E Owyhee Ave, Homedale, ID.