Doris Swedblom passed away Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center just a month shy of her 96th birthday. Doris was born Aug. 31, 1917, to Stanley and Elizabeth Dehlin. Her Grandmother Dehlin helped deliver her at their home on a dry farm near Idaho Falls. Doris and her younger brothers, Paul and Jack, attended school in Nampa. She graduated from Nampa High School in 1936. She married Doug Thacker June 20, 1936, and they had a daughter, Doris Jean (Jeannie). She and Jeannie later moved to McCall, where Doris met her second husband, Charles (Vic) Swedblom. They were married June 15, 1943, and had three children, Stanley, Carol and Vicky. Doris and Vic lived in McCall until 1952. They moved to the Twogood Ranch on the Doumecq Plains and then later bought the nearby Bentley Ranch. Doris was the last postmaster at the Canfield Post Office. They later moved to White Bird, where Vic was foreman on the El Arrow Ranch. Doris lived there until Vic passed away in 1991. She then moved to Grangeville.
Doris was always ready for an adventure. She had no experience with horses until she married Vic, but that did not deter her from taking a pack trip for their honeymoon. She learned to drive when she was 40. She took her first airplane trip - by herself - when she was 75.
She loved kids and was always involved in teaching and helping them. She was a primary school teacher, a 4-H leader, and a school sports chaperone and taxi for years. She especially loved her grandchildren and enjoyed her adventures with them. She was also active in the Rebekkahs and the Idaho County Extension Club.
Her hobbies and passions kept her young. Her first love was being an avid doll collector. She also loved sewing, restoring furniture and gardening.
Nothing brought a bigger smile to her face than being chosen the oldest/best-dressed cowgirl in the Riggins Rodeo parade and when she was given the honor of being the 2005 Border Days grand marshal - she had the time of her life!
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vic; her son, Stanley; and her brothers, Paul and Jack.
She is survived by her daughter, Jeannie Eddins (Charley Simmons) of Boise; daughter Carol Gortsema of Grangeville; daughter Vicky Duvall (Ron) of Durango, Colo.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Grangeville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Burial will follow at White Bird Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville and from 9 a.m. to time of services Saturday at the Grangeville LDS Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Grangeville Ward Missionary Fund, 216 S. College St., Grangeville, ID 83530.
Condolences may be sent to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com.
