Blanche was born November 22, 1925 in Ypsilanti, ND to Michael and Hattie (Vetter) Heffernan.  She passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at SMP Health-Ave Maria, Jamestown, ND.

Blanche attended school in Ypsilanti.  She taught school in rural Ypsilanti for several years.  She was a postal clerk for 20 years and an associate at JC Penny’s for many years.

She married Earl S. Johnson, November 24, 1945, in Jamestown.  They sold their home in Ypsilanti and moved to Jamestown in 1998.  She and Earl had one son, Larry, in 1947.

She was a member of The Red Hat Society.  Among the many things that she loved was playing cards, bingo, dominos, and camping with friends.  She also loved shopping with her daughter-in-law, Dee.  In fact, Dee had a hard time keeping up with her!  Another thing she loved was when she and Earl had the opportunity to be District Court Bailiffs.  The did this for 16 years.

Blanche entered Ave Maria Nursing Home on September of 2011.  She adjusted quickly and was a strong advocate for Ave Maria, even doing a YouTube Ad and a radio show promoting Ave, and she couldn’t brag enough about the good food and the caring staff.  As anyone who knew her would expect, she made many friends at Ave Maria, friends who became like family to her and her to them.  They knew when they walked into her room that she would say “hi honey!”

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters, and one brother.  She is survived by her son Larry (Dee), Moorhead, MN; her grandson Jeff (Karla), Fargo, ND and her sister Shirley Laber, Jamestown, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be sent to SMP Health-Ave Maria in Jamestown.

Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, January 29, 2024 at Eddy Funeral Home with Deacon Ken Votava officiating.  Interment will be in Ypsilanti Cemetery in the Spring.

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.