Lois Janet Berry Blandin

Janet was born September 30, 1911 in Montrose, Colorado to William Allen and Mabel D. Smith Berry. She died on August 8, 2009 at Columbine West Health and Rehabilitation. Her family moved to Fort Collins in December of 1919, where she graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1929 in the first class to go all four years at the new high school "way out there" on Remington Street. She graduated from Colorado Agricultural College—now CSU—in 1933 with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics and married Walter William Blandin in December 1935. They lived in Nebraska and Granada, Colorado until her husband was called into the service; she then moved back to Fort Collins. Bill was in veteran's hospitals and assisted living for many years. He passed away in 1977. Janet worked as proof reader for the Fort Collins Coloradoan and was in charge of classified ads for 10 years. She retired from the CSU Lory Student Center Food Service. During the 40 years she lived alone she enjoyed belonging to various organizations, including the League of Women Voters, Friends of the Library, AAUW, Achievmor Extension Club, Federated Women's Club, Delta Rebekah Lodge, Pioneer Women, Calico Questers and The Fort Collins Historical Society. She held office in many of them. As a member of the Poudre Landmark Foundation she served as hostess at the Avery house and at homes on the Avery House Home Tours. As a member of the CSU Alumni Association, she was a volunteer receptionist, president of the 50-Year Club and at age 94 was chosen as the "Ram Fan in the Stands" at the 2005 Homecoming football game. A life member of the Methodist Church, she served on various committees. As a charter member of the United Methodist Women, she served on the local, district, and conference teams and also the Regional School of Missions. She was a pioneer member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority and was honored by the Northern Colorado Council of ESA as Pioneer of the Year. She enjoyed reading, her flower gardens, CSU football and volleyball games, Senior Center day events, Aspen Club trips, her weekly breakfast group, traveling and entertaining. She is survived by her sister Lorna Eichling and son Howard, daughter Dorothy Orazem and husband Ray; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her husband, sons Allen and Loren, and parents preceded her in death. A memorial service will be held in September. Donations in her memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society of Larimer County, American Heart Association of Larimer County, or the charity of your choice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.