Emily Blevins

Emily Blevins, wife and loving companion to Ron Blevins, passed away peacefully at her home in Powell on Sunday, January 15, 2017.   She was 76.

Hand in hand, Emily and Ron lived the joy of shared adventure: writing love letters, singing at church, dancing in the living room, climbing mountains, fishing in Buffalo Bill Reservoir, crossing miles of desert to visit grandchildren, hanging out in their cabin at Dubois, rebuilding hurricane victims' homes in Galveston, and even celebrating a wedding anniversary by giving their combined families a cruise to Alaska.  

Emily was born to Melvin and Novella Erickson on April 28, 1940, in Fargo, North Dakota.  After graduating from Central High School in Fargo and working a summer in Yellowstone National Park, she moved to Billings, Montana, and married Divven Opheim, with whom she had five children:  Michael, Dale, (deceased shortly after birth), David, Scott, and Nancy.  Widowed at age 29, Emily moved the family closer to town to attend Eastern Montana College, earning a BS in Psychology while raising her young children.  After graduation, she pursued a career providing counseling and social services to the under served women of Yellowstone County, Montana.  

The well being and success of her family was Emily's number one priority.  She cultivated a love of music in her children from their early years, and was ardent and proud supporter at countless rehearsals, concerts, recitals, and football halftimes.  Emily was very social and enjoyed spending time with friends and family.  Known for her optimism, she looked for the good in every situation.  She loved reading, hats, and Christmas - especially nutcrackers, which she passionately collected.

Emily is survived by her husband, Ronald G. Blevins of Powell; brother, Wayne (Judy) Erickson of Big Canoe, Georgia; daughter, Nancy Kay of Houston, Texas; sons, Michael (Annette) Opheim of Pickett, Wisconsin, Scott (Hilary) Opheim of Houston, Texas, David (Rex Gillit) Opheim of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Allison Opheim and Jonathan Opheim of Pickett, Wisconsin.  Surviving extended family members include, Becky (Sean) Burke of Powell, Scott (Penny) Blevins of Queen Creek, Arizona, Traci (Stuart) Hill of Orcutt, California, Tarri (Fred) Martin of La Mesa, California, Greg (Kim) Dyas of Paxton, Nebraska, Brian Dyas of Boise, Idaho, and a passel of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Divven D. Opheim; husband, Neal G. Anders; brother, Doug Erickson, and son, Dale Opheim.

Funeral services are planned for Friday, January 20, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Powell.  Services will be preceded by a viewing on Thursday, January 19, 2017, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home.