Robert "Bob" Blankenship

Wibaux, Montana: Robert “Bob” Blankenship, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at the Wibaux County Nursing Home in Wibaux. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Glendive, Montana with Reverend Ray Willis officiating. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Bob was born in Sheridan Wyoming on March 15, 1936. His parents Jess and Gladys Blankenship engaged in ranching in the Busby region of Rosebud Creek. As the time drew near for Bob to be born, there was a terrible snowstorm. His father drove the team as hard as they could go to get to the hospital in time. Bob’s entry into the world was very difficult for him and his mom, but everything turned out well. The team of horses survived too, but they had given their hearts to the job and were never the same. Three years later a little sister Mary Lee joined the family and about the same time, they moved to a new location on the south fork of Reno Creek in Bighorn County, near the foothills of the Wolf Mountains. All that was there to greet them was a small log cabin and an old buffalo sleeping in the shade. Bob and Mary Lee grew up knowing horses and cattle and the life that revolved around them. With their mother they rode horseback to a small one room schoolhouse which their mother taught. They went to high school in Hardin Montana. Bob graduated in 1954 then returned to ranching in business with his parents. He married Bobbi Hall on December 14, 1963 in Hardin Montana. Back in those days, babies were delivered by a stork, who visited them with five squirmy little bundles over the next thirteen years. In 1972 they purchased the Ben and Betty Brownfield ranch south of Glendive. There they continued raising the boisterous brood, Hereford cattle and Morgan horses. Like so many cattlemen, Bob’s Big Day every year was Bull Buying Day. He found the cattle from North Dakota breeders, the Tachenko brothers, to be a very successful cross with his cows and returned every year to bid on these beautiful promising two year olds. His other great love was his Morgan mare Mickey Midnight and did he love her. He also really enjoyed working cattle with his cousins Bud, Johnny and Bill Blankenship, cowboy friends Marvin Ley and many neighbors who traded work back and forth. In 2005 Bob suffered a stroke that ended his active career. He became a resident of Wibaux County Nursing Home until he passed away on January 9, 2013. Bob was a member of the First Baptist Church in Glendive, Montana Stockgrowers, and R-CALF, a cattleman’s association. In the years of his residency at Wibaux County Nursing home he made many friends among the staff, past and present. Their loving attention, professional services and overall care for Bob was remarkable and touching. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Jess and Gladys Blankenship. Bob is survived by his wife of forty-nine years Bobbi; his children, Sally (Jim) of Bozeman Montana, Johnna Blankenship of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, Virginia (Paul) Power of Billings Montana, Jesse (Jaclyn) of Glendive and Robin (Lucas) of Wibaux; 12 grandchildren; one great – grandson; his sister, Mary Lee Flanagan (Mike) of Dayton, Wyoming and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends who wish are encouraged to direct memorial donations to Wibaux County Nursing Home, 712 Wibaux St, Wibaux MT 59353, or to the charity of one’s choice. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.

Robert "Bob" Blankenship

March 15, 1936 - January 15, 2013

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Robert "Bob" Blankenship

March 15, 1936 - January 15, 2013

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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