Beatrice Blomquist

She was born April 24, 1917, in Iron Mountain, one of eight children of the late Amede (Edward) Lefebvre from Montreal, Canada, and Georgiana (Langlois) Lefebvre from Cahoes, N.Y.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Olaf; her parents; five sisters: Annette (Furno), Estelle (Walker), Lucille (Larsh), Geneva (Lahti), Dorothy(Sterling); three brothers: Edward, Rodney and George Lefebvre; and granddaughter Christina Emerson Lloyd.

Beatrice graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1934, where she was editor-in-chief of The Mountaineer school paper. Soon after graduation, she commenced six-year employment with the U.S. Treasury Dept. Disbursement Division as a check-writer for WPA projects in Iron Mountain, Cheboygan and Lansing.

On June 29, 1939, she married Olaf Blomquist. They settled in Iron Mountain and raised three daughters: Judy, Alene and Margo.

After her marriage, she served for ten years as office manager for the local U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service.

She studied at Northern Michigan University and University of Alabama, concentrating on courses in writing, publishing, and on history. Beginning in 1940, she was a freelance “by-line” writer for the Iron Mountain News and Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Beatrice served as official historian for the Menominee Range Historical Foundation and assisted in organizing the first auxiliary “Friends of the Museum” group that supported this area’s historical movement. She was active in the Cornish Pumping Museum development and promotion. Her television appearances included “Marvelous Machines,” promoting the Cornish Pumping Engine on the History Channel; and “Silver, Copper and Gold Mining in UP” on public television.

She wrote extensively on Dickinson County history and encouraged people to write their family histories. Many of the stories are included in published books “Tales of Yesteryear” and published histories of Felch, Breen and West Branch townships.

Writing honors included the prestigious 1995 State of Michigan Charles Folio Award for historic preservation and writing on Dickinson County and the Upper Peninsula. She was a member of the Upper Peninsula Writers Association and honored as 1982 Writer of the Year. She stated that she was inspired by love of history and by local residents who were actively interested, encouraging her dating back to her Iron Mountain High School journalism days.

Beatrice was named First Lady of Dickinson County by Beta Sigma Nu Sorority in October 1979. Over the years she was a Girl Scout leader, 4-H leader and Audubon Society member. With the Dickinson County Chapter of the Red Cross she handled publicity and public relations and assisted area war brides during WWII as a counselor in adjusting and orienting to life here. She enjoyed gardening, reading, music, bird watching and community events. She loved her family and supported their many paths and activities. She was a faithful member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.

She is survived by three daughters: Judith (Will) Mcintosh of Chilton, Wis., Dr. Margo (Stephen) Cousins of Marshfield, Wis., and Alene Blomquist of Ann Arbor; six grandchildren: Stephanie, Scott, Patrick, Cory, Nathaniel and Amanda; six great-grandchildren: Cody, Ashleigh, Christina, Samantha, Sabrina and Lynaya; three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. The Rev. Paul Strom will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Menominee Range Historical Museums.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Beatrice Blomquist online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.