Blanche Arlene (Hennen) Simpson

Blanche Simpson, of Clarkfield, died on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at the Clarkfield Care Center at the age of 89.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Clarkfield Lutheran Church. Rev. Jeannie Megorden will officiate and interment will be in the church cemetery. 

Visitation with the family will be held at the church one hour prior to services on Saturday. Arrangements are with Lynner Funeral Home of Clarkfield.

Blanche was born in Boyd, MN, the daughter of Oscar and Olga (Johnson) Hennen. She was baptized and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church, and graduated from Boyd High School in 1946. Blanche left the small town life to work in the big city of Minneapolis as a sales clerk at Dayton’s. She married Thorval Wesley Lynne on June 12, 1949. They settled in Clarkfield and raised four daughters: Barbara, Nancy, Jan and Ann. In her younger years, Blanche enjoyed golf, bowling, gardening and sewing club. Her primary job was taking care of her family, but she worked part-time as a secretary for Clarkfield Lutheran Church and later took a job at the local telephone company. She took an active role in her girls’ activities, teaching Sunday School, being a room mother, and was a Girl Scout leader for many years. Wes died in 1981. Blanche married Dewayne Simpson in 1987. Blanche was active in Clarkfield Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, bunco, quilting, senior citizens, and many volunteer activities.

Blanche was a soft-spoken individual who excelled in the art of serving others, always putting others’ needs ahead of her own. Her thoughtfulness and grace were ever present, whether she was scouting for baby clothes for layettes for Lutheran World Relief at garage sales with her daughters or teaching her grandchildren the art of properly making kringla and lefse. And while her interests tended to be on the less wild side (quilting, baking, bird watching, playing cards, bunco, watching Wheel of Fortune, and following the Twins), Blanche had an understated sense of adventure (as evidenced by her willingness to go on outings with her daughters, even a high speed airboat excursion in the Florida Everglades at the age of 87). She was an avid reader, and a book was never far from reach. Blanche loved her "girls only" travels with her daughters, and time spent with grandchildren and great grandchildren was very special to her.

Blanche is survived by her daughters, Barb (Rod) Bruflat, Nancy (Phil) Sturlaugson, and Jan Falkum; Dewayne’s children, Wayne Simpson and Paula (Tony) Thompson, grandchildren: Todd (Alisa) Bruflat, Kelly (Colin) Steklenski, Dan (Lauren) Sturlaugson, Trina (Sean) Thayer, Tom Falkum (Katey Sierra), Aimee Falkum (Josh Fenton), Amy (Chris) Rasmussen, Aaron (Nicky) Simpson and Sean (Mandi) Simpson; and 10 great grandchildren: Flynn, Isla, Daxton, Maverick, Elijah, Emily, Adalynne, Caden, Dylan and Chloe; brother, Ron Hennen; and several nieces and nephews.

Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Ann Lynne; husband, T. Wesley Lynne; husband, Dewayne Simpson; sister, JoAnn Larson; and grandson, Ryan Thompson.

Blanche was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and caregiver. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and the Clarkfield community.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are preferred to Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield Area Community Foundation or Rice Health Foundation, designate: Willmar Regional Cancer Center in memory of Blanche Simpson. www.ricehealthfoundation.org
 

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