In Memory of Wanda Ruth Blomquist Moffett

Wanda Ruth Blomquist Moffett of Missoula was born May 3, 1929 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to John Emmett Blomquist and Inez Elizabeth Bird. Her siblings were Emmett Edward 1919, Elsa Leutisha 1921, John Keith 1923, Wayne Eugene 1925 and Donald Franklin 1927.

She passed away November 27, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her husband Robert L. “Bob” Moffett, infant son and infant granddaughter.

Survivors include her children Judy Long, Jack (Pat) Moffett and Jeanine (Martin) Sticht; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wanda's memorial service was held April 23, 2016 at 1:00 PM in the LDS church at 3050 South Ave. W.

Wanda Moffett was born May 3, 1929 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to John Emmett Blomquist and Inez Elizabeth Bird. She was the baby of the family being the sixth of 6 children. Emmett Edward 1919, Elsa Leutisha 1921, John Keith 1923, Wayne Eugene 1925 and Donald Franklin 1927.

They lived in the Lincoln area northeast of Idaho Falls where her father farmed on acreage by the Idaho Canal. When Wanda became school age she rode the school bus to the Emerson Grade School, where she attended for three years.

Next the family moved to Hamer, Idaho where she attended grades 4 through 8. It was there that she met her future husband Bob Moffett, a good friend of her brother Wayne. At age 13 her Mother had a stroke and passed away. That was a difficult time for the family.

They moved 10 miles north of Dillon, Montana the following year where she attended Beaverhead High School. There was no school bus and gas was rationed so transportation was a problem. However, living on a ranch they were able to use tractor gas. Others weren't as fortunate and had to rely solely on ration coupons. Many things were rationed during WWII so they had to learn to do lots of things differently. Due to the scarcity of common supplies substitutions became normal. Cooking was a challenge and it required some adjustments that they weren't accustomed to.

Wanda was elated to get a pair of nylon hose from Bob. One day while Bob was in Idaho Falls he saw a long line at the JC Penney store. He noticed his sister-in-law Mabel Moffett in line and asked what she was trying to get. She replied “Nylons”. He said “Maybe I should buy a present for Wanda”. Mabel asked “What size does she wear?” He said “Oh, I don't know. She's 16 years old – I guess I should get a size 16.” Of course he almost got laughed out of line. Fortunately Mabel was able to suggest a size a little closer to correct and Wanda got her pair of nylon hose.

On September 21, 1946 Robert Lee Moffett and Wanda Ruth Blomquist were married in Dillon, Montana. Wanda was still a high school student and Bob was a coach and teacher in McCammon, Idaho so she transferred there. They lived in a single room at an old hotel with a shared kitchen and bath since no apartments were available. Since they didn't have a car their big entertainment was to catch the train to Pocatello on Saturday to go shopping, eat and see a movie.

In May 1947 their first son was miscarried in Idaho Falls. They then moved to Dillon where Bob worked for Wanda's brother Wayne. They bought some baby chicks to raise and sell. Wanda said they were the only ones she ever wanted to raise. Judy Faye was born July 6, 1948 in Dillon at the old Barrett Hospital. Wanda said she was so protective of her new baby that she kept her wrapped in several blankets at all times (in July yet). She had lots of heat rash!

Bob played basketball with the town team and on the way home from a game in Butte the car he was in had an accident. Bob ended up back in Butte in the hospital with a body cast because of back injuries. While he was there Wanda experienced severe pain in her belly. Her doctor told her she had to have immediate surgery but she said she couldn't do that because Bob was still hospitalized and there wasn't anyone to take care of Judy. The doctor told her to find someone! He told her if she died someone would have to take care of Judy. Her stepmother refused to help. Thank goodness she finally found someone to help out and had the operation.

Meantime Bob heard what had happened from a visitor who had come to see him in Butte. He insisted on being released and going home even though they wanted to keep him longer. Bob called Mabel who took Judy to Logan, Utah for a few weeks. It broke Wanda's heart to be separated from her baby but she was thankful to know she was so well taken care of.

Because of his injuries Bob was unable to return to the work at the ranch. His brother-in-law Josh Schwab offered him a job as a field man at his cheese plant in Marshall, Arkansas. For the first time they had a house of their own and bought their first appliance, a Frigidaire refrigerator, which still runs today!

Their next move was to Wichita, Kansas where Bob worked for Boeing. He didn't get enough work hours there so he sold Kirby vacuum cleaners and did OK.

They got homesick for Montana and the mountains so moved back to Dillon. Jack Lee was born July 28, 1951 at Barrett Hospital in Dillon. He was a hungry boy! Eat and cry, eat and cry. He was ready for pancakes and steak as soon as Grandpa John Blomquist could sit him on his lap at the table. Wanda said that she kept “near slim” when the kids sat on her lap at mealtime and ate most of her food.

Jeanine was born early Christmas morning 1952, where else but at Barrett Hospital in Dillon. It was late Christmas Eve when it was time to head for the hospital. Bob was so excited when they got there that he pulled the door shut and locked it instead of pushing it open. He rang and rang the bell but no one came. He then went to the emergency entrance and roused the nurses. Wanda finally got off the cold front steps and into the hospital. The doctor had to be called away from a Christmas party and made it with no time to spare.

In 1953 they moved to Shelley, Idaho where Bob worked as a potato inspector. Judy was in 1 st grade there.

In 1954 they moved to Ammon, Idaho. Bob worked spuds in Idaho fall, winter and spring, then California in the summer. The 1 st year he went to California in May before school was out. After school was out Wanda and her 3 little kids (7, 4 and 3) followed on the bus to Bakersfield. It was not a pleasant trip! Tisha, her sister, gave her a coffee can in a sack to put under the seat in case one of the kids couldn't wait for a rest stop and someone stole it. She said she wished it had been used first. The next year they took Judy out of school early and went together in the car. They enjoyed being tourists in California. They did lots of driving around, picnicking and rubbernecking, visiting the beach, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Long Beach, Redwoods, vineyards, racing stables, dairies - both cows and goats, lots of parks and the San Diego Zoo.

In 1957 Bob accepted a position with Montana Department of Agriculture for year round work inspecting fruits and vegetables and they moved to Butte Montana.

In 1958 Bob got transferred to the Missoula division and they moved to Hamilton, Montana.

In 1959 they moved to Missoula still working for the Department of Agriculture. At this time they bought their 1st and only house. All 3 kids graduated from Hellgate High School.

Wanda was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved her church and served in primary, Cub Scouts, MIA, Sunday School, Relief Society and music. Genealogy was also an interest of Wanda's that she worked on throughout her life. When the new church was built on Bancroft, Wanda donated more than 500 hours of work (more than any other woman in the stake). Some of the jobs that she did: hammering nails to help build roof trusses, painting, scrubbing the mortar slops off the brick with acid and rinsing with a hose, glazing windows, helping to build heat ducts, laying floor tile, putting up ceiling tile, staining woodwork, grouting tile in the bathrooms and lots of sweeping and cleaning up messes.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, infant son, husband Bob and infant granddaughter.

Wanda is survived by her children Judy Long, Jack (Pat) Moffett and Jeanine (Martin) Sticht; grandchildren Beverly (Mark) Janssen, Jeremy (Jasper) Long, Vanessa (Tyler) Miner, Mark (Leah) Sticht, Alissa (Tyler) Grimm, Mandy Moffett-Frey (Travis Frey), Michael (Erica) Sticht and Andy Moffett; great-grandchildren Markie Jones, Zakary Hostetler, Hannah Miner, Eliza Miner, Anna Grimm, Matthew Sticht, Jared Miner, Chloe Grimm, Carter Sticht and Asher Frey; great great grandchild Happy Dennis.

I have two favorite memories of Uncle Bob and Aunt Wanda.

First, I was surprised when they were able to come to my marriage in the Ogden LDS Temple. Since they lived in Montana, it was wonderful to have them there with me in the temple.

Second, I was surprised again, when they came and visited me, when I lived in Star Valley, Wyoming. I had been working on some family history, so it was great fun to talk about our family history together.

They have blessed my life with their love and caring. They will always be dear to my heart.

— Janell