Doris E. Blaz

Doris E. Blaz passed away on March 9, 2024 at the Big Sky Senior Living Facility in Butte, Mt. She was born to Gilbert & Judith Gunderson on March 4, 1930 in Aneta, ND. and grew up on the family farm in Cooperston, ND. While in high school she held various jobs and graduated from high school in 1947. She went on to receive a teaching certificate, and taught at a one-room country school house and took flying lessons.

Doris came to Montana in June, 1948, where she met her future husband, Thomas V. Blaz. The couple was married in June, 1949. Together they raised 6 children, 3 girls & 3 boys in Anaconda.

She was employed at Woolworth’s and St. Ann’s hospital when she first moved to Anaconda. She later worked at Galen State Hospital for many years before she retired. Her passion in life was her family and then her skill at sewing which she did her whole life from clothing, baby clothes, quilts and dolls; which we are sure there are many families in town that still have these items. She was the original creator & sewer of the “Irish Washer Women” quilt square for the LAOH hall for many years.

Mom always had a smile on her face, loved greeting people everywhere she went, was always ready for a party and loved her own birthday parties.

Doris is survived by her children, Judith Bowman and Margaret & Larry Bock of

Silverdale, WA; Linda & Jerold Forkan, David & Judy Blaz and daughter-in-law Janice Blaz, all of Anaconda.

Grandchildren; Jerry & Debbie Biggs, WA, Cheri Austin, WA, Lisa & Douglas Tuckman, Jonathan & Lija Devine, Jason & Jessica Devine of WA. Adrienne & Brandt Sweet, UT, Amanda and Kyle Fehrer, Michelle and Steven Collins, Ryan and Hannah Blaz, and Joshua Blaz all of Anaconda, Ann Campbell, granddaughter-in-law, of Butte, step-grandchildren, Jerod Bock and Tamara Mitchell, WA; 25 great-grand children and 1 great-great grandson, along with numerous nieces & nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents & 4 siblings; husband, Thomas V. Blaz, son and daughter-in-law Thomas D. & Debbie Blaz, son Terry Blaz, grandsons, Thomas F. Blaz, Thomas M. Biggs, son-in-law, William Bowman, and Keith Austin, grandson-in-law.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Mom later this summer when the flowers are in bloom and the sun is shinning. We will LOVE you forever.

Please visit the longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Doris.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Doris and her family.