Blanche Patricia King was born March 17, 1921, in Pierre, South Dakota, the daughter of William A. and Lena (Erickson) King, of Milesville, South Dakota. She grew up on a farm-ranch east of Milesville. Blanche attended rural school, of which five years of school was held in her father’s living room. She attended Philip High School graduating in 1938. She attended one year of college in Brookings, South Dakota, and later graduating from the National College of Business in Rapid City. She worked in Rapid City for Commercial Credit.
Blanche was united in marriage to Robert G. LaFee on August 24, 1941, and to this union were born two children Barbara and David. In 1942 the family moved back to Milesville where they were engaged in farming. Robert LaFee died as a result of a farming accident in August 1946. Blanche and the children moved to Philip where she was employed by Philip Motor Company as a bookkeeper.
Blanche was united in marriage to Dean Parsons in February 1949 in Rapid City and to this union were born two daughters Ruth and Beth. Blanche worked as a bookkeeper for Baye and Parsons John Deere Implement from 1950 to 1957 when the business was sold. The family then moved to Quinn, where they were engaged in farming.
In later years Blanche lived in Reno, Nevada, Pierre, South Dakota, Sun City, Arizona, Wall and Rapid City. She traveled to many foreign countries, one of her most memorable was to Israel. She was active in extension club and Badlands Quilters Guild. She enjoyed gardening, quilting and giving things she made to family. Blanche loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was active in churches wherever she lived. She was especially blessed by her Awana class at Evangelical Free Church in Wall, her Sunday School Class and Ladies Bible Study Group at South Canyon Baptist Church in Rapid City. She will be greatly missed by a host of friends and family.
Thankful for having shared her life include her children David (Linda) LaFee of Keystone, Barbara (Monty) Hackens of Rapid City, Ruth (Jerome) Butters of Gypsum, Colorado, and Beth (Zane) Jeffries of Milesville; her grandchildren Douglas, Daniel, Dustin, and Eric (Ellen Nicole) Hackens, Mark (Cindy) and Charles VanVleck, Lisa (Patrick) Scheetz, Julie (Steve) Miller, Kathryn and Richard Butters, Matthew and Murdock Arthur, and Amber (Brad) Beer; great-grandchildren Morgann and Marc Miller, Zander Scheetz, Burke and Blake Beer, Logan and Madison Hackens, Ganeva and David VanVleck, Jon Aleman, and Erica Cortez.
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, her husband Robert G. LaFee, and a grandson Veryl L. Hackens.
Visitation was held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services were held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 18, at the Evangelical Free Church in Philip, with Pastor Gary Wahl, Pastor Brent Reeves, and Pastor Paul Lloyd officiating.
Private family interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
A memorial is established to Campus Crusade for Christ.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, August 18, 2011 - 1:00 p.m.
Evangelical Free Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Gary Wahl
Pastor Brent Reeves
Pastor Paul Lloyd
MUSIC
Sharon Olivier - Pianist
Maureen Palecek - Vocalist
USHERS
Boyd Parsons, Jr. - Byron Parsons
PALLBEARERS
Douglas Hackens - Daniel Hackens
Dustin Hackens - Eric Hackens
Mark Van Vleck - Charles Van Vleck
Lisa Scheetz - Julie Miller - Kathryn Butters
Richard Butters - Matthew Arthur
Murdock Arthur - Amber Beer
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Guest Book
Beth & Family - Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
~ Brock & Brittany Smith
Philip, SD (8/14/2011)
Beth and Family~
We know this has been a difficult road to travel and hope that you find comfort in knowing that Blanche was so well prepared in her heart for the outcome. It will bring you peace of mind in the days and weeks ahead. We are here, and glad to be of any help that we can. Blessings to all of Blanche's family.
~ Jason and Vonda Hamill
Milesville (8/14/2011)
Beth,Amber and Family
So sorry to hear about your loss. Please know we care and will pray for healing and strength.
~ Roxy and Ray Formanek
Hermosa SD (8/14/2011)
Beth, Zane, Matt, Murdock, Amber and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss, Blanche was such a special lady and I will always remember her fondly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, may you find comfort in knowing she is watching over you now and in the difficult days to come. All our love, The Bastian Family
~ Eric, Kayla and Kaidyn Bastian
Pierre, SD (8/14/2011)
Blanche was a very special neighbor and friend to us in Wall. Her dedication to serving the Lord will live on in the lives of many who sat under her instruction and teaching of the Word. God has called a very special person to be by His side now in heaven.
~ Jim and Rose Barber
Wall, SD (8/14/2011)
Beth,Zane,Amber,Murdock,Matt and all of Blanche's family
What a kind, gentle soul Blanche was and how understanding and always made you feel special to be around her. We are so sorry for your loss but know she longed to be in His home, we are happy she suffers no longer and is at peace. We pray for your peace and wonderful memories of this dear and precious lady.
~ Gary and Julie Nixon
21142 224th Street Philip, SD (8/14/2011)
Blanche was such a joy to be around. I enjoyed getting to see her at all the quilt club activities and when she came in the shop. She will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Paul, Moneik, & Mikaela Stephens
~ Paul, Moneik, & Mikaela Stephens
Black Hawk (8/14/2011)
Blanche was one of my favorite ladies. Her gentle spirit was a testimony of her faith. She loves the Lord and we can rest knowing she is with Him now.
~ Becky and Neal Drury
1 Wyoming St (8/14/2011)
As Blanche told me "I heard the Lord say to me, "Don't be discouraged, I go to prepare a place for you" And she truly was looking forward to going with Him!
We rejoice at her joy in being with Jesus! But, our hearts are with you as missing a mother never ends.
God bless you all with peace and comfort now and in all your days ahead!
~ Rocky and Rebecca Williams
Philip (8/14/2011)
David and Barbara, So sorry to learn of the passing of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
~ Rosi & Lloyd Royer
1076 Windsor Ct Waukee IA 50263 (8/14/2011)
Dave, Barb, Ruth, Beth and families.
Thinking of you today during this difficult time but also know it is a time of rejoicing as you all know it is a glorious day in heaven as they welcome your Mom home.
We loved her too and I will always remember her gentle laugh and delicate little hands.
~ Leah and Jim Waddell
15869 S Via Cayetano Sahuarita AZ (8/14/2011)
Ruth and Beth: So sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. God Bless.
~ Don & Jolene Haynes
Philip (8/14/2011)
Ruth and Beth, I am very sorry to hear about your Aunt Blanche. Will be thinking and praying for you and your families during this time.
~ Bryce Waddell
Sahuarita AZ (8/14/2011)
My deepest sympathy for your loss, what a special, special person. I feel so blessed to have known her. Your family will be in my prayers. God Bless
~ Crystal Walton
Rapid City, SD (8/14/2011)
Blanche was an evangelist at heart. After we moved to Wall she was the local grandma for our children. Her gentle, firm spirit has discipled many other children as well through AWANA and church release time. She will be missed by many--what a homecoming party there must be in heaven right now!
~ Chuck, Jeanine, Libbi, & David Sykora
Wall, SD (8/14/2011)
Beth and Ruth, so sorry to hear about the passing of Aunt Blanche. She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
~ Patricia (Waddell) Tschetter
Sun City West, AZ (8/14/2011)
Dave and Linda, My sympathy goes out to you and your family. It!s been many years since I have seen Blanche, but I truely rember her. God Bless, Ray.
~ Ray Wilhelm
330 Flormann St. (8/14/2011)
My Deepest Sympathy. May the Lord Be With You Now and Always.
~ Fawna Geigle
Enid, OK (8/14/2011)
Dear Barbara and all family, my sympathy and blessings to you on your mother's death. It was good to be able to meet you and I was saddened that over the week's her health failed. You are a wonderful family and your constant presence at the hospital was a comfort to her. Prayers to you all.
~ Kay Foland
Rapid City (8/14/2011)
Blanche was an encouragement to our family as we attended church together in Wall. I got to work with her in AWANA. She had a ready smile and took a genuine interest in each person, making them feel special. We sympathize with you for your loss. She will be missed by many.
~ Nancy McQuown
Black Hawk, SD (8/14/2011)
Ruth, Beth, Dave and Barbara
We are so sorry for your loss - our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Robin, Nick and Nicholas
~ Robin Feller
Denver, CO (8/14/2011)
Your mom and my mom, Ruth, always shared great visits of times growing up. I remember the last time we met up was at the Millstone in Rapid when Blanche had moved to Wyoming I think. I also enjoyed a quick visit with Blanche in Philip recently. My sympathy to you all, but memories are wonderful.
~ Masha Sumpter
Kadoka (8/14/2011)
Dear Blanche Parsons Family,
Really enjoyed Blanche from my days growing up in Philip and in later years when we visited in South Dakota and at the Daly reunion in Las Vegas. She and Frances Murphy were first cousines and good friends also. They had a lot in common being the children of homesteaders who lived close to each other in the Plum Creek Milesville area. At Frances funeral 3 years ago, Blanche gave us a great set of pictures of the King family which really filled in the family history. Our sympathies to you all.
Joe, Diana, Jennifer and Brian Murphy
~ Joe and Diana Murphy
2487 Utica Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89146 (8/14/2011)
Dear Dave, Linda and Family. Our Love and Prayers go out to you at this time. Sincerely Susan and Denny
~ Denny & Susan Walsh
Miami, FL. (8/14/2011)