Our loving wife and mother Alberta Vivian Blanton “Birdie” 77 of Helena, MT passed to our Lord February 4, 2015 surrounded by family. Birdie passed from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Birdie was the first born to Vivian Becker and Olaf Christian Norheim in Great Falls, MT. The Norheims also lived briefly in Townsend, and Fairfield before the family moved to Glasgow, MT where Birdie grew up and graduated from Glasgow High School in 1955.
Birdie and her friend Evelyn attended a basketball game at Opheim High School, a small town on the Canadian border that changed her life forever. She met H. Deane Blanton at the game and married him a year later on January 4, 1958 at First Lutheran Church of Glasgow. They celebrated their 57th anniversary in January. Deane and Birdie began their family in 1958 and have four children Leisa Blanton, Anthony Blanton (Cindy), Kenneth Blanton (Sharron), all of Helena, and Steven Blanton (Kerri) of Jefferson City. They were blessed with five grandchildren Tyler Blanton, Jayme Blanton O’Neil, Ashley Blanton, Cody Blanton, and Jace Blanton. They were double blessed with the birth of their great granddaughter Emma O’Neil a Valentine baby.
Mountain Bell Phone Company began Birdie’s career and she retired in 1999 from the Montana State Library, Talking Books Division, where she loved helping customers. Birdie was an avid reader, loved playing Pinochle, crafting and especially fishing and camping. She will be missed immensely.
Birdie has three surviving siblings Darlene Schmidt of Fairfield, Dennis Norheim of Nashua, and Gail Winterhalter of Helena. She was preceded in death by her parents Vivian and Olaf Norheim and two siblings Kenneth and Dale Norheim.
A Memorial service Celebrating Birdie’s life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., with a reception to follow the service in the Banquet Hall of the funeral home. Burial will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison following the reception.
Memorials in Birdie’s name are suggested to Helena Food Share, 1616 Lewis Street, Helena, MT 59601 or helenafoodshare.org
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Alberta.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the reception
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the reception
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
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Karen Ebert says
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Mother. Birdie was a really neat lady. I remember when she came to visit you when you lived in Boiling Springs. You invited me up to spend some time with you all. We sat at your kitchen table and we talked and talked. . Your mom was most interesting and what a sense of humor! I will always cherish sharing that visit with you and your mom. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Karen and Chuck
Sandra Jarvie says
I first met Birdie when we worked together at the State Library in the late ’70’s. I was the director of the Talking Book Library from 1990-98 when Birdie was a Reader’s Advisor. She was a wonderful employee, person & friend. She worked hard to supply her patrons with the right equipment and books. She spoke frequently of her family and it was apparent her love and devotion to them was boundless. My sympathy goes to all of you. Birdie Blanton was one neat lady!
Connie and Julie says
we are so sorry to hear about your mother Birdie. May your memories bring you comfort. We have all of you in our prayers. Love forever
Sherry & George Deaton says
We are saddened for your loss of Birdie. All of you are in our thoughts & prayers. Birdie was so loving & friendly to everyone she met. Thank God for all memories . May all of her family be blessed & at peace. May God Bless all. Sherry & George.
Gino says
Ashley and family, sorry for your loss. May your memories hold her forever in your heart.
Barb (Gettel) Williams says
Dear Blanton and Norheim families, We were sorry to hear about the passing of Alberta. Know that we are thinking of all of you and keeping you in our prayers.
Your cousins,
Lois (Gettel) Levstik, Barb (Gettel) Williams and Janyce (Gettel) Boehmer
Janet @ Dave Armstrong says
We are sorry to hear of the passing of your wife and
Mother. I know that a person never wants to let go, but there also comes a time when we do not want to hang on. Our heart goes out to you, as we know how hard it has been. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy Burner Erickson says
Blanton Family. I just wanted to share with you how sorry we are about the loss of Birdie. I visited with both of my parent’s over the weekend and we all have great memories of living across the street at the base and spending time with your family. We just wanted to let you know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Take care….The Burner Family – John, Jacque, Cindy, John and Zack and families.
Rick and Diane Anderson says
Rick and I are so very sorry about your loss. We are so blessed to have spent some time with your wife/mother when we lived in Helena. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Diane and Rick
Darlene Staffeldt says
Worked with Birdie for many years at the State Library, she was a wonderful person, hard working, caring. She will be missed I am sure. Sorry I can not join you at the services.
Sue Waldron says
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Mama Blanton was a pleasure to know and will be missed. God be with you.
Deb Dodge says
My heart is absolutely broken upon hearing this news 🙁 I loved Birdie and have so many fond memories of her growing up with you all at the Glasgow AFB and then reuniting our families in Helena years later. My heart felt prayers go to you all – Deane, Tony, Kenny, Steven, Leisa, Gail, Darlene~ Sincere LOVE to you all, my thoughts are most definitely with you~
Debbie (Littell) Dodge – Missoula, MT