HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LIFE OF BLANCHE WOLD

By Roland Minson

My mother, Blanche Thelma Wold, was born in Preston, Idaho, July 1, 1906, the ninth child of Christian Olsen Wold and Annie Nielsen. She was delivered at home by Mrs. Beckstead, a midwife, on a beautiful Sunday morning. She weighed 11 pounds, the largest of her mother’s ‘11 children. 

Her sister Marion, who was 12 years older, told her that she was a beautiful child and looked like a little angel. On the other hand, Marion’s favorite name for young Blanche was “Heathen.” ie: “Come here you little heathen” or “hold still you little heathen” as she combed Blanche’s snarly hair. 

Horses were a big part of her young life as she became skilled at riding them without a saddle. She frequently recalled riding “Old Dan” with Earl - trying to ride standing up. The skill was never fully perfected and they frequently found themselves entangled in the sagebrush. 

The Oakley Dam was a place she remembered with love. Her Dad was given the responsibility of guarding it during World War I and she recalled the large raft her father built and sailing it up and down the canals with Earl and Gwen. While living there they attended the local school and were called “City Dudes.” by the other students. Blanche liked the title.  Gwen could not have cared less - Earl fought over it.

 In her written history she recalls that she was not exactly the best beet-thinner in her family. Earl was always faster and in trying to keep up with him, she did such a bad job that inevitably her father would escort her back to the house with the “toe of his boot” where she helped with the house work. She had a similar problem with weeding. Three days after she, Earl and Gwen finished weeding, every third row would have a fresh crop of weeds.

 When Blanche reached dating age, she was carefully supervised by not only her parents but also her brothers and sisters. Gwen, though five years younger than Blanche would always call Blanche to an accounting each time her sister came home later than expected. Blanche never could convince Gwen that it was difficult to get in trouble while riding double on a horse. especially a horse that did nothing but trot.

 Blanche was frequently called on by the family to help at the time of the birth of a child or when there was sickness in the family. She helped Mabel at the birth of both Beth and Melba, - Vernal and Effie with Lionel, Marion with the twins. When Rolf’s wife, Estella died, Blanche stayed out of school for a year to help take. care of Rolf’s family. She stayed at Carl, and Edna’s house to help after their son was killed and also while Edna was recovering from surgery. Later in her life she took care of Marion during the long and painful illness prior to her death. 

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