Blanche Smith, 98, of Grafton and formerly of Stephen, Minnesota passed away at Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Blanche Bolduc was born May 12, 1920 on the family farm in Parker Township to Edward and Marie Louise (Leveille) Bolduc.  Blanche attended a country school in Parker Township.  The Bolduc family provided housing for the school teacher who nurtured Blanche's love of reading.  On November 14, 1942, she married Francis Louis Smith in the Red River Mission Church near Olso, Minnesota.  They settled in Eagle Point Township and farmed there until 1969 when they moved to Grafton. Francis died on May 24, 1969.  Blanche worked at Lutheran Sunset Home for 21 years, retiring at the age of 71.  She was a an active member of St. John's Catholic Church in Grafton.

Family members include her sons, Gary (Judy) Smith, Escondido, CA, Vernon (Beverly) Smith, Stephen and Allan Smith, Stephen; 10 grandchildren, Sheri, Stacy, Craig, Michael, Nathan, Matthew, David, Jackie, Jenny and Jeremy; 31 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; a grandson, Timothy; a granddaughter, Christine; and brothers and sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial  will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Stephen Catholic Church, Stephen. Interment will be in St. Stephen Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the church on Friday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 and visitation for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Fr. Tim Schroeder, presiding; Marilyn Hanson, organist; Corina Pietruszewski, soloist and St. Stephen's Choir. Casket bearers will be Blanche's grandchildren, Sheri LaBreche, Stacy Corbett, Craig Smith, Michael Smith, Nathan Smith, Matthew Smith, David Smith, Jackie Gutierrez, Jenny Miller and Jeremy Smith.   Honorary casket bearers will be great grandchildren.