Blanche C. Conway

BEMIDJI -- Blanche Caroline Conway, 81, Bemidji, died Saturday, June 10, 2000, at home.

She was born Aug. 26, 1918, in Northome to Ira and Blanche (Sherwin) Griffith. She graduated from Bemidji High School in 1936. She went to French's Business College in Bemidji. She married Charles W. Conway on Sept. 18, 1938, in Northome. While living in Bemidji, she worked for Arnold Forbes in his law office. In 1942, they moved to St. Paul and lived there until 1947 when they returned to Bemidji. In 1948, she and her husband took over operating Conway's Sandy Beach Resort on the east shore of Big Lake from her husband's father. They retired in 1985 after 37 years in the resort business. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church and had hosted a neighborhood Bible study in her home for more than 30 years.

Survivors include her husband; five daughters, Kay Juhnke, Larimore, N.D., Alice Gryte, Pequot Lakes, Margo Carlson, Bemidji, Chris Larson, Pequot Lakes, and Jean Penoncello, Moscow, Idaho; a son, Charles F. Conway, Bemidji; 21 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.

An infant son, three sisters and three brothers died earlier.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Bemidji with the Rev. Vernon Lathe of the First Assembly of God Church officiating. Burial will be in Ten Lake Township Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the First Assembly of God Church or to North Country Hospice, both of Bemidji.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at First Assembly of God Church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and an hour before services Wednesday at the First Baptist Church.

Arrangements are with Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home of Bemidji.