Norene Blacker Blauer

Mar. 17, 1934 - Mar. 16, 2015

Date of Service: Mar. 23, 2015

Norene Blacker Blauer

BURLEY – Norene Blacker Blauer of Burley, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2015, at Highland Estates Assisted Living in Burley, one day shy of her 81st birthday.

Norene, the daughter of Alma and Edith Jensen Blacker, was born March 17, 1934, at her grandparents’ home in Rupert, Idaho. As a young child, she remembered playing at the end of the field with her brothers while her parents worked in the fields all day; then, going to the barn and playing while they milked cows at night. Following her parents’ example, she has always worked hard.

She attended grade school in Emerson and Heyburn, and graduated from Heyburn High School in 1952. She fondly remembers performing in a school play and speaking at her seminary graduation. After high school, she attended Brigham Young University where she sang in the choir. She also met Willes Blauer there and they were married on July 22, 1953, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

In February of 1954, Willes joined the United States Armed Forces. After training at Fort Sam Houston, they moved to Tacoma, Wash., where their first two children were born. After returning home in 1956, they settled in the Pella area where their other five children were born.

Through the years, Norene held many positions in the LDS Church including chorister, Primary teacher and secretary, homemaking leader, counselor, visiting teacher in the Relief Society, and served in the Young Women.

Norene took great pride in cooking excellent meals, growing plants, sewing, crocheting, painting Christmas villages, among other crafts. She used these items to decorate her home and the homes of others. Many babies were blessed in a tuxedo or a frilly dress she made. In the past year, she has kept busy painting birdhouses, making necklaces, crocheting, painting pillowcases, and playing bingo.

Her family was very important to her. She enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Norene is survived by her children, Dan (Cheryl) Blauer of Burley, Deborah (Dan) Gilbert of Blackfoot, Donald Craig (Lori) Blauer of Burley, Duane (Amy) Blauer of Declo, Dwight (Naomi) Blauer of Boise, Douglas (Kerina) Blauer of Burley, and Daren (Cheryl) Blauer of Meridian; two sisters, Luane (Richard) LeBaron and Sheryl (Galen) Stimpson; two brothers, Marvin (Lovel) Blacker and Jimmy (Judy) Blacker; 29 grandchildren; and 55 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Willes; one brother, Teddy Blacker; and a great-grandson, Beckham.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 23, at the Burley LDS 2nd and 4th Ward Church, 515 E. 16th St., in Burley, with Bishop Clay Handy officiating. Burial will be in Gem Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.