Blanche Davenport
December 11, 1926 ~ October 21, 2013
Blanche Davenport passed away October 21 at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo.
Blanche was born on December 11, 1926 in St. Paul, MN to Hurley and Phoebe Codding. After graduating from Detroit Lakes High School she attended NDSU and belonged to the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Then she graduated from Concordia in Elementary Education. Blanche met Bud Davenport at Pettibone's Lodge in Shoreham, MN. They were married in 1949 in Fargo.
Blanche taught kindergarten for the Fargo Public Schools for 33 years. She loved her students and fellow educators. Blanche previously was a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Fargo, a member of the Fargo Library Board, and past President of PEO Chapter AE in Fargo.
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents and sister Nancy Guscette. She is survived by her husband Bud of 64 years; daughters Mary Haugo (George) and Laura Davenport of Cottage Grove,MN; grandchild Stuart Holweger(Toni) and two great-grandchildren Brooke and Abby Holweger of Cottage Grove; and his brother Charlie (Beverly) of Bloomington, MN.
The family would like to thank the staff at Bethany Retirement Living on University Drive and 42nd and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their kind and loving care. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Bethany Homes, Hospice of the Red River Valley, or the First Presbyterian Church of Fargo.
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Moorhead MN
Bud – We are thinking of you in your loss and remembering many good times. Sincerely Don & Diane
We raised 4 kids and always felt it was in the positive shadow of a great teacher, Mrs. Davenport. Her professional expertise combined with love continues to live on in those she taught. My condolences to her family and friends. Tim Mathern
Steamboat Springs COMrs. Davenport was my kindergarten teacher at Clara Barton, and like so many others, I have wonderful memories of those days. She instilled a love of learning in me that will last a lifetime. What a beautiful, wonderful lady who made this world a better place. My deepest condolences to her family.
St. Paul Minnesota
Mrs. Davenport was my kindergarten teacher at Longfellow in Fargo, during the 1963-64 school year. Although I don’t have a lot of detailed memories about that year, I do remember how gentle and kind she was and how comfortable she made me feel. My two younger brothers also had her for kindergarten. Imagine the impact she had on the thousands of kids she taught over the years! Thanks Mrs. Davenport, and God bless you.
Bismarck ND
My sympathy to the family of Mrs. Davenport. What an institution in Fargo Public Schools and Clara Barton elementary. She had a tremendous influence on so many kids in South Fargo, including me, as our kindergarten teacher. She remembered everyone. Even 33 years after I left her class, she sent me a note with our class photo saying that she had followed my career in public service. It was sincere, heartfelt and was certainly not out of character for her. She was a treasure, and may she rest in peace. She certainly won’t be forgotten.
Billings MTI had Mrs . Davenport as my kindergarten teacher at Longfellow. I had very positive memories of her.
Euless TXMy condolences to Mrs. Davenport’s family. Mrs. Davenport was my kindergarten teacher and I have so many fond memories of that year and of the wonderful teacher she was. But, my most favorite memory is how she selected one of the students each day to be the “wake up fairy” after rest time. We got this wonderful wand that we could tap our fellow students with to tell them it was time to get up. This was just one of the many very creative ways Mrs. Davenport kept us engaged and excited about school. I am sure that you will miss her greatly. But, I also hope you know what an impact that she had on so many lives.
Susan Frear
Fargo ND
Dear Bud, Mary, and Laura,
Our hearts go out to each of you with the loss of “our” beautiful Blanche. Hopefully the outpouring of love you have received in the past days and weeks will give you the support that you need. She was loved by all. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts. Blanche lives on in all of our treasured memories of her.
With love,
The Simle Family
Canandaigua NYI will continue to remember her fondly. My daughter will enter kindergarten next year. I can only hope she is as lucky to have someone like Mrs. Davenport.
Sun City West AZ
Dear Mary and family,
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Blanche. She was a warm, wonderful person and I will always have fond memories of her.
North Branch Mn Family of Mrs. Davenport,
My heart is heavy hearing the news.She has been in my mind and my heart many times over the years. She was a wonderful teacher. A perfect person for a child to start their many years of school with. I have so many thoughts and wonderful memories of my Kindergarten year. I recall all the fun we had,the naps on the mats, her soft and comforting style of teaching, her playing the piano and singing to us, even the wonderful smell of her perfume. It’s sometimes funny the little things one remembers. Know along with myself, she was loved by so many and she will always be held close to our hearts forever. R.I.P. Mrs Davenport.
Fargo ND
Bud, Mary and Laura we send our heartfelt sympathy and prayers. Blanche was a legend at Clara Barton, a wonderful, caring, gifted teacher and loved by us all. We felt so fortunate to have all three of our children experience the excellent teaching skills of Blanche. They had the best to prepare them for first grade. I loved her sense of humor, her sweet chuckle, and her funny little stories. Blanche will be so missed.
Our condolences,
Jan & Mick Kester
Moorhead Minnesota
Bud, Mary & Laura,so sorry to see that Blanche had passed away. I was glad to catch up with her & Bud at Gables as I bought Buicks & Avalons from Bud from Russ Buick days to Corwin up to his retirement, every 3 years since 1975 . They kidded me & said I paid for their stay at Gables from all the brand new vehicles I bought from Bud & Blanche I believe got my blue Riviera during a trade in. Blanche is a classy lady & is the light in the dark I will miss. God bless & prayers.Patsy
Naples FLDear Bud, Mary and Family
I was so sorry to hear of Blanches passing, as was my mother. She so enjoyed Blanche, and Bud, and having them as neighbors at Bethany on 42nd. I will always have a special place in my heart for your mother. She was quite a lady!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Norwalk CTMary, Laura, Bud and extended family,
My deepest condolences at the passing of your beloved mother/wife/grandma. She was like a mother to me when I lost mine so young. I know she was greeted by angels galore in Heaven. Her cheerful nature and sweet little giggle are forever etched in my fond memories. No wonder she was such an amazing Kindergarten teacher! I am so sorry for your loss as I know many in Fargo must be.
Love and prayers, Betsy Owens McGowan
Rosemount MN
Laura, Mary and Family. I am so sorry for your loss. The death of a loved one is one of the hardest things we face in life. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Julie Tummel
Lakeland Minnesota
Bud & Family: “All I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten…..” – was so true with Mrs Davenport. I was so blessed as a young child, and then later in life, to have her as a significant influence in my life. Ironically, my 5 year old daughter entered Kindergarten this year, and when I walked into her classroom, I immediately was reminded of the corner room at Clara Barton where I learned so much from the loving care of Mrs Davenport. I’ve spent my life as an educator, much in part due to the feeling that I received from Mrs Davenport and other educators in my developing years. She was a blessing to so many children. I send you my deepest condolences, yet please take great sentiment in knowing that I, along with many others, will carry her message of care for young people in our communities in North Dakota
, and far beyond. She truly touched lives through her students on an exponential level. Draw strength in your faith, family and friends…….Dave Thorson, Clara Barton student
fargo Bud and Family: We are so saddened to hear of blanches passing. Our Deepest condolences to you. Blanche was a Grand Lady, a good friend and wonderful neighbor to us all. We share so many good memories of life on 9th ave. S.
“Do you ever wonder if you’ve made a difference in this life? Whether any of those children who have come to your care have remembered anything you did for them — any ways you cared for them? I believe that by the time a child grows up, that child’s first teacher and second teacher and all the child’s important adults will have become incorporated into that child’s development. That’s the way it is with all children and, although they might not remember clearly, those of us who were the educators of their early lives will always be a part of who they are. Just like those who meant so much to us when we were children will always be a part of who we are.” Fred Rogers
May her special way of loving us, live on in our hearts.
Hi Mary,
Thinking of you and your family during this sad time. Take care.
Sorry to read about Blanche, Bud. She was a great lady.
Dear Bud, Laura, Mary and families…i am saddened to hear of your loss of Blanche. She was the epitome of a classy, dedicated and lovely woman and she will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to know her and be touched by her sweetness. My boys both loved her so much and never forgot their dear Mrs. Davenport!
I hope you find comfort in the thoughts and prayers of all who knew her…and joy in the wonderful memories your family have made over the years. My thoughts and heart are with you all.
Fondly, Alexa Stern Oxley