Obituary Fern Ione Swaner Blasko

Fern Ione Swaner Blasko, beloved wife, mother grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Thursday, March 12, 2009 in her home surrounded by her family. Fern was born May 1, 1924 in Ogden Utah, the daughter of Herbert and Annie Swaner. She was a member of the Ogden High School class of 1942 and lived most of her life in Ogden and Washington Terrace.

She Married Julius (Duke) Blasko June 14th, 1946. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple in March of 1947.

Fern started working at an early age as a telephone operator in Ogden and later served in the U.S. Navy Waves where she trained pilots in instrument flight. She was a U.S. Government employee with the IRS and retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1981.

She was a faithful member of the LDS church and served with Duke in the Tampa Florida Mission in 1986-87. Her love of children and music led to numerous church callings. She served as choir director and chorister for the Ogden 26th ward. She taught Primary and Sunday school. She was proud of being a Golden Gleaner. Her beautiful alto voice was an asset to many trios and choirs. She was a cherished member of the Washington Terrace 8th ward.

Fern was active in the community and served as Secretary of the first Parent Teachers Association of the new Bonneville High School and President of the Washington Terrace Elementary School PTA. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and served as a Girl Scout Leader. She loved the Polynesian culture. She learned the music, and the dances and she shared her passion in performances with her mother, daughters and Hawaiian friends.

She loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and caught fish in Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska. She spent time in the mountains during deer season as a hunter and cook. She loved to bowl with Duke and was the secretary of numerous bowling leagues.

Fern's brothers, sisters, cousins and in-laws provided great joy throughout her life and she cherished her time spent with them at reunions, "cousin's parties" and other family gatherings.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Judy Ann Blasko, August 1968. Surviving are her husband of 62 years, Duke, two daughters Bonnie Norman (Rick) of Washington Terrace, Kathy Joan Hutchison (John Blair) of Paradise Montana and son John Francis Blasko (Julie) of Anchorage, Alaska. She was known as "Bammy" to her grandchildren: Justin and Lara Blasko, Jaquel and Kevin Shepperson, Janica Blasko, Jessalyn and Jason Husum, Natalie and Rob Burrows, Stuart Owens, Nathan and Jessica Owens, and Aaron Owens; and her great grandchildren: Makenna and Morgan Owens, Taylor Navoni and Abrianna Burrows, Aidan Owens, Gabrielle and Aubrey Shepperson, Tholen and Talea Blasko. She loved and appreciated her many nieces and nephews.

Also surviving are her two brothers John Swaner of Clearfield, Gene (LaDon) Swaner of Ogden, and her Sister Annette (Dave) Manning of Bountiful.

The family would like to recognize Hospice with special thanks to Vickie, John and Marcus for their loving, compassionate care and understanding.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 11 am at Leavitt's Mortuary, 836 36th St. Ogden, UT. Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 6-8 pm. and one hour prior to the service at the mortuary.

Published Standard-Examiner Ogden, Utah — March 15, 2009