Robert "Bob" Lee Blomgren

Spokane WA on January 12, 2023 at age 93. He was born October 14,1929 in

Chewelah WA. to Dan and Beth Blomgren.

He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, 4 wives, 3 new born babies, 3 nephews.

He is survived by 2 sisters Shirley Skok, & Gerri Weythman of Valley WA;. 2 brothers

Glen Blomgren of Camp Verde, AZ & Kent Blomgren of Wapato WA. Two Daughters;

Linda (Don) Ross of Yakima WA, Carlene (Bill) Gest of Colbert WA. ;Four

stepdaughters, Cheryl Turman of Bellingham WA. ,Sharon Swafford of Spokane

WA.,Ann (Ted) Kosewicz of Waitsburg WA.,Glenda Simons (Dave) of Republic WA. :

Two stepsons, Dave Simons (Glenda) of Republic WA., & Mike (Mary)) Simons of

AZ. 22 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren & 4 great-great grandchildren, and

many special friends.

Bob as a young boy raised 4 H grand champion Guernsey cows. After a job at the

creamery, Bob bought a 1923 Dodge touring car, which he made into a truck. Just

after high school, Bob became a milk tester for Stevens County and he used the truck

for an office. While he was working as a tester, Bob visited a grange social event

where he met Gertrude Justice. He and Gertrude, who he nicknamed Trudy, were

married on June 12, 1948.

He had a dairy farm in Chewelah & worked at the creamery in Deer Park and the

magnesite quarry in Chewelah. In April1951, a cyclone hit their barn, destroying it

and killing the cows. They then moved to a farm in Elk. Once again Bob did side jobs

to support his farm in Elk.

In 1954 he got an opportunity to work for Russ Herman masonry. Russ encouraged

Bob to lay rock which became his specialty.

Bob & Trudy had 2 girls that survived & 3 that didn't’ between 1949 & 1955. Trudy

got polio & lupus & was completely paralyzed in 1955. This turned their whole life

around.

They both had sought religion before this,but now they needed faith and comfort

most urgently. Trudy’s therapist often whistled hymns while helping her. She asked

him about his faith and soon after, Emery Carper took Bob to his first Gospel

Meeting. Bob & Trudy both made a choice to serve the living God at this point in their

lives. They and their family have continued in truth and shared it with others .

Trudy was not expected to live and Bob wanted to bring her home, so he bought and

furnished a house in Spokane in one day. The family moved to Spokane and lived

there for 5 years.

Then Bob and Trudy worked together to build a masonry home near Peone prairie.

They built it with bricks salvaged from the old Darigold building.

Bob worked construction on his own for a short time before accepting a masonry job at

Intalco Aluminum . In taking the job,he moved to Ferndale WA and built another

beautiful brick home where they had fellowship and gospel meetings .Bob left this job

after 4 years, as the work was boring and he was also experiencing back trouble .

Bob and Trudy were fishing around Friday Harbor when they saw a house under

construction. Bob left his phone number and got the job to build a fireplace the next

day. This was the beginning of Plumb Bob Construction. He worked in the

San Juan islands for 20 years. Trudy passed away March 25,1977 as a result of a

boating accident.

Bob and Willie Simons were married April 3,1978. They rented for a short time on the

Island while they built a beautiful river rock home overlooking Friday Harbor. Bob was

able to keep working if he laid down in the middle of the day for ½ hr. Willie’s healthy

cooking probably helped as well.

In retirement Bob and Willie moved to Republic and built another beautiful rustic

rock and shingle home overlooking Curlew Lake. While living at Curlew, Bob built a

rock sign for their housing development at Curlew Kai,which led to a teaching

position at Job Corps in Curlew. Bob really enjoyed teaching young people the craft

that he loved.

Willie had developed Alzheimer’s when Bob had a bout with cancer. While he

was having treatment in Spokane they stayed at the Royal Plaza Retirement Center.

They liked it so much they moved there. Willie passed away Feb,2,2009

While Bob lived at Royal Plaza he had a little shop where he made about 40 rocking

chairs, big & little He made benches, bookcases, tables, picture frames, toy trucks,

bird houses & puzzles. All were made with love for his children, grandchildren, great

grandchildren, and friends. Now those are precious keepsakes.

Bob married Ellen Clinton January 23,2010. Ellen was blind and Bob read the bible

to her every day. She made her choice to serve God soon after marriage and loved

Bob, and her Savior & Friend. They had a very happy union for 2 years.

Bob married Wenona Reid April 23, 2012 They enjoyed each other and were of the

same faith. They had 5 good years before Wenona needed to be moved to a memory

care facility. She passed away February 23, 2020.

The family extends their thanks to Royal Park Retirement Center for all the care that

went into making their facility his home for 17 years. And another special thanks to

Horizon Hospice for their care and support these last months.

Bob continued and finished in faith & hope. He has been a help to all of us in his

kindness, wisdom & faith.

A visitation for Robert will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 West Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205, followed by a funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BallandDodd.com for the Blomgren family.