Blanche Audrey Person (Biz, Tutu)

Blanche Audrey Durand Person (Biz, Tutu) was born January 1, 1933, in St Cloud, MN, to Elsie (Roth) Durand, an RN, and Fred Durand, a train locomotive fireman/engineer. Following the tragic death of her father in a railroad accident, her mother raised the children alone. The family never owned a car, so they walked to/from the grocery, school, and church. Biz (a nickname given to her by her brother) participated in numerous activities in school including band and flag, orchestra, National Honor Society, Student Council, art, Spanish, and aquatic and biology clubs. She graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in 1950.

Biz graduated from Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis as an RN in 1953 and as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in 1955. She served as delivery room nurse at Northwestern and staff anesthetist at several Twin City hospitals before moving to Fargo, ND, in 1959, where she was on the staff of St Luke’s Hospital.

In 1961, Biz filled in for a vacationing colleague at the Fargo Veterans Administration Hospital, where she met Don, the love of her life, who was serving his medical school externship at the hospital. Biz returned to Minneapolis, and she and Don married in the chapel at Mt Olivet Lutheran Church in 1962.

When Don was drafted into the Army and sent to Panama in 1964, Biz lived with sister Muriel (Mo); brother-in-law Bob Gleeson; nieces Leta, Nadia, and Mara; and nephew Tom. They always called her “Auntie Biz.” After nine months, she was finally able to join Don in Panama. While there, first son Don was born. After the family moved to Rochester, Minnesota, second son David was born. In 1970, the family moved to Houston. In addition to raising two sons, Biz served part time as a School Nurse, Pediatric Clinical Nurse, and Research Nurse. She also co-authored a seminal clinical paper regarding the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

In 1987, Don re-upped in the Army, and he and Biz moved to Hawaii. Biz enjoyed traditional Hawaiian quilting with a local group. She was a member of the Hawaii Quilt Guild and won several ribbons for her work. She loved to crochet and sew. She knitted Christmas socks for the entire extended family.

Following her 50th Nursing School Reunion, Biz published a semiannual newsletter, “Nurses’ Notes.” She edited, collated, typed, and printed submissions then mailed the 10–12-page newsletters for 18 years.

When Don retired from the Army in 2008, he and Biz moved to San Antonio to be closer to son Don and his wife Kristi; son David and his wife Suzanne; granddaughters Madison, Monroe, and Mary-McKinley; and great grandson Gunner. The grandchildren called her “Tutu,” which is short for Grandmother in Hawaiian.

Biz volunteered at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston, Lutheran Church of Honolulu, and Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio. She delivered Meals on Wheels in Houston and Honolulu for more than 20 years. During the pandemic, Biz and Don joined Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio.

Biz celebrated her 93rd birthday New Year’s Day 2026 then peacefully went to Heaven, surrounded by her loving family, Sunday, January 4, 2026.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Biz’s life will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Road, San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.