Blanche Ridgeway was born Blanche Julia Draheim in Marion, North Dakota to Orlando Alfred and Cleo Mae (Keller) Draheim on November 11, 1922. She was raised in Marion where she completed her high school education. Being raised in a musically talented family, Blanche grew up singing in church and at other community activities with her siblings. After graduating, Blanche worked in their local hospital and also cared for an elderly lady.
On June 11, 1941, she was married to Andy J. Ridgeway in Marion where they began their family. In 1947, they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota but returned to Marion the following year. In 1956, they moved to Eureka, California, then came to Oregon in 1965 and lived in Medford before moving to Sandy in 1969.
Besides dedicating her time as a mother and homemaker, Blanche was always involved in their business activities. When living in North Dakota, California and in Medford, they owned and operated garages and Texaco service stations. Blanche would do the bookkeeping, take care of the office, and assist Andy her husband with remodeling & building homes in which their family lived. Blanche and Andy were always active in the Presbyterian Church. They remained at their home in Sandy until making their permanent home in Clackamas in 1994.
A memorial service will be held at Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church on May 21, 2016 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Blanche's name to Savage Memorial Presbyterian Endowment Fund.
Blanche and Andy were blessed with 2 sons and 2 daughters, Jerry (Patricia) Ridgeway of Spokane and Russ (Nancy) Ridgeway of Sandy; Myrna (Larry) Haddorff of Yakima and Bobbie (Cliff) Christianson of Lake Oswego; 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Blanche is also survived by her brother Wayne Draheim of Medford. She is preceded in death by her brother Rodney Draheim of Brookings and sister Beatrice Melanson of Eureka, California.