Blanche Anastasia Nelson, 73, of Coeur d’Alene, died Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, at Pinewood Care Center.

She was born May 22, 1938, in Hackensack, N.J., to Joseph Jerome and Mary Anastasia (Royka) Sova.

Blanche moved to Manderson, Wyo., during her youth. She attended schools in Manderson and Greybull, Wyo., and graduated from Greybull High School in 1957. Blanche attended four years of college in College Place, Wash., and then resided for a short time in Osburn and Lowden, Ore.

She moved to Coeur d’Alene, where she met Robert Gerber. They married and had one son, James. They later divorced and Blanche married Lawrence Nelson. He died in 1982.

Blanche was employed by Coeur d’Alene Homes and she worked as a certified nursing assistant, retiring after a 40-year career in 2005. She lived in Coeur d’Alene for 47 years.

She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and was a very giving person. She wrote and submitted poetry, winning several awards. Her hobbies were fishing, bingo, crafts, going to and having yard sales, playing cards and dice games, and going to the casino.

Blanche is survived by son James Nelson of Moscow; sisters, Jane (Ron) Loucks of Thompson Falls, Mont., Georgia (Randy) Rutschke of Meeteetse, Wyo., and Edie (Nelson) Durham-Call of Spirit Lake; brothers, Joe (Diane) Sova of Thermopolis, Wyo., and Cory (Sherry) Sova of Rock Springs, Wyo.; grandchildren, Becky and Tyler Nelson; nieces and nephews, Shani Vetch, Tahnee Gatlin, Kolter Steadman, Clint Dickinson, Afton Grant, David Durham and Betty Berkhousen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Larry Nelson and brother Eddie Sova of Puerto Rico.

A memorial service will be held at noon Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, with a reception immediately following. Cremation has taken place. Blanche’s ashes will be scattered at a later date around Hauser Lake in Idaho, joining the ashes of her husband, Larry.

Contributions may be made to Pinewood Care Center or your local animal shelter in lieu of flowers. Please sign Blanche’s guest registry and view her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.