Blanche Eunice Johnson (Shodo)

Blanche Eunice Shodo Johnson, age 91, passed-away at home with family on December 24, 2020. Blanche was born in Grassy Butte, North Dakota on March 2, 1929 to Vincent and Olive Shodo. She was the youngest of six children. Shortly after graduating high school she moved with her family to Polson. There she met her future husband, Keith A. Johnson. They were married on Christmas Eve in 1949. They enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage.

Blanche and Keith had four children: Paul (Joan) of Whitefish; Kevin (Jane) and their daughters Kristin and Lisa of Butte; Rod (Cindy) and their sons Erik (Martel) and daughters Eleanor and Evelyn Blanche (Blanche’s namesake) and Andrew (Shauna) and their sons Riley and Austin of Polson; Lauren Quien of Kalispell and children Keith Allen (Cara) and their daughters Kyla, Lena and Nora of Spokane and Nicole (Brian) Piercy and their daughters Sage and Jordan of Marana, Arizona and Jennifer Quien and her son Oliver of Kalispell.

Blanche found joy in her relationship with many things, her family, friends, and animals. She surrounded her home with beautiful flower gardens and was proud to feed her family home grown produce. Her many family adventures included camping, hunting, and fishing and spending many happy days at the family cabin near Dayton. In their retirement years Blanche and Keith traveled extensively in their motorhome, spending winters in Yuma, Arizona, and later Waldport, Oregon. Her favorite past times were playing card games with family and sewing.

While she did some office and retail work outside the home her main focus was on being a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She also volunteered for many years at the Country Store in Polson, finding much joy in the friendships fostered there.

She was preceded in death by her husband Keith, brothers Floyd, Ralph and Les, sisters Jo and Edith. Also preceding were Keith’s brother Richard and his wife Arlene; Keith's sister Kay Witham; and many other dear relatives and friends.

She is survived by her four children and their families, brother-in-law Ted Witham, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in the spring (2021) and announced at a later date.