Willa Blinzler, 93

| February 28, 2011 9:00 PM

Willa Blinzler, 93, of Post Falls (formerly of Lewiston), joined her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, of natural causes. She was surrounded by family and friends at the Loyalton Assisted Living in Coeur d'Alene when she passed peacefully from this world.

One of five siblings, Willa was born in Clearwater, Fla., on Feb. 6, 1918, to Thomas and Laurabelle Trueluck. After completing the eighth grade, Willa opted to work to help support her family during the Great Depression rather than returning to school. Her work ethic was remarkable to say the least. She picked strawberries for 12 hours a day in the hot Florida sun as a girl, toiled in a factory as a riveter during World War II, followed by various house cleaning and caretaking jobs. She worked outside the home until she was 83 years old.

In 1942, Willa married Amos Upham and moved to Spokane, Wash. The marriage resulted in Willa's most sincere joy in life: her only child, Nancie.

It was a shared interest in square dancing that brought her and her second husband, Adam "Bernie" Blinzler, together. In 1963 they were married until he preceded her in death on Jan. 21, 2006.

Willa enjoyed spending time with her best friend and sister, Ruby, who preceded her in death in 2010. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, baking, fishing, hunting and spending time with her family who adored her.

Willa is survived by her daughter, Nancie Riggers; her granddaughter, Tracy Moitoza; her husband, Bill, and their children Chelsie and Lacie; granddaughter Andrea Olson, her husband Keith, and their children Kurt and Matthew; grandson, John Riggers, his wife Cheryl and their children Chance, Troy and Whitney; and granddaughter Kristin Liberty, her husband Steve and their children Marissa, Madison, Zachary and Daniel. She is also survived by her great-great-grandchildren, Dayton and Aspynn.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston.

You may visit Willa's online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.