On Oct. 6, 2018, in the early morning at her home in Blaine, Dorothy Lee Blankers graduated to glory to be with her Savior.
Born Nov. 19, 1944, to Herschel and May (Roedell) Bayes, she grew up in Everson with her two sisters, twin Dolores and older sister Shirley. After graduating from Nooksack Valley High School, she married high school sweetheart Daryl Blankers of Everson on Sept. 7, 1962. They were the first couple married at Nooksack Valley Baptist Church (today’s Christ Fellowship). They spent some time in Salem, Oregon, at Western Baptist College, but eventually came back to raise their kids in Whatcom County. They spent 56 years together farming, working and raising a prolific family. She was a faithful and gracious daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Over the years she worked as a bookkeeper as well as serving in youth and women’s ministries at Nooksack Valley Baptist Church (Christ Fellowship) and Grace Baptist Fellowship of Lynden.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Herschel and May Bayes; twin sister Dolores; in-laws Robert and Kathryn Blankers; and granddaughter Hayley Hanowell.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Daryl; and sister Shirley (David) Mulka of Bellingham. They were blessed with four children: daughters Rhonda (Tim) Hanowell of Everson, Gwen (Ray) Rediger of Everson, Rockelle (Rob) Baddeley of Stayton, Oregon, and son Mel (Shannon) Blankers of Everson. Her 13 grandchildren include Jennifer (Ryan) Pemberton, Leann (Ben) Vandyken and Hayley Hanowell (deceased); Vince (Jessie) Rediger, Wade (Kendra) Rediger and Bret (Falon) Rediger; Aaron (Katelyn) Baddeley, Justin Baddeley, Elizabeth Baddeley and Lauren Baddeley; Jordan Blankers, Evan Blankers and Brenan Blankers. She also had nine great-grandchildren, all of which she adored and loved. Dorothy was known for her deep love of her Lord and family, enjoying kids’ ball games and events along with summers at the family lot on Lake Whatcom.
You are invited to join family and friends for Dorothy’s memorial service at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, in Grace Baptist Fellowship. A private graveside preceded in Nooksack Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Grace Baptist Fellowship’s Mission Fund, 338 N. Park St., Lynden, WA 98264; or Whatcom Hospice Foundation, Suite 11, 3001 Squalicum Pkwy., Bellingham, WA 98225.
You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online Guest Book at www.GilliesFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
