Blanche E. Meeker, 77

Blanche E. Meeker, 77, a longtime Eureka resident, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, in Kalispell from natural causes. She was born in Kalispell on June 16, 1928, to Floyd and Bessie Lewis Haddow. She grew up and attended school in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1946. She attended a business college in San Diego.

She married David Wojtusik in California, and he preceded her in death in 1953.

She then returned to Kalispell, where she met and married Jim Meeker in 1956. They moved to Eureka in 1959, where they became the owners and operators of a local gas station, which they operated for 18 years. She also started the Queen Bee Drive Inn in 1963 and operated it for more than 20 years.

She was an active member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka.

She also served on the City Council in Eureka, The Glacier Bank board and the Mountain View Manor board. She also enjoyed golf.

Survivors include her three sons, David Meeker of Eureka, Mike Meeker and wife, Margaret Ann, of Kalispell, and Pat Meeker and wife, Julie, of Kalispell; as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, with rosary starting at 7 p.m.

Local arrangements are by the Nelson and Vial Funeral Home in Eureka.