Mary Blakeman

Educator, Evanston native and mother Mary Lou Taggart Blakeman passed away at her Evanston home on the morning of Friday, December 26, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.

Born May 30, 1931, in Evanston, Wyoming, to Morg Taggart and Nellie Sims Taggart, she was one of five children.  Mary Lou spent her early years on the family ranch and lived with her Aunt Lue at the Sims Hotel, where she worked most of her life.

Mary Lou married Rodney Blakeman of Rock River on June 14, 1954, in Evanston.  They had eight children.

Mary Lou graduated from Evanston High School in 1949 and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in education.  She taught elementary school in the Evanston School District for many years, her last years spent teaching at the old Brown School in North Evanston.  An excellent cook, quilter and seamstress, Mary Lou spent many years raising her children and grandchildren after her retirement.

Mary Lou was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all of her life.  She fulfilled many church callings.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her son Jim Blakeman, her sister Sarah Nelson, her brother Fred Taggart, her mother Nellie Sims Taggart, her father Morg Taggart and her beloved aunt Luella Sims.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years Rodney Blakeman; her sons Robert (Freida) Blakeman, Timothy (Kris) Blakeman, John Blakeman, William Blakeman, Anthony Blakeman; daughters Sarah Blakeman and Nellie Blakeman; grandchildren Melissa, Matt, Ryan, Andrew, Danielle, Caleb, Katie, Tobi Sue, Charles, Jacob, Jessica, Justin, Connor, Jordan and Greyson; and great grandchildren Tristin, Isabella and Savanna.

The family would like to thank the kind, supportive care of the staff of Uinta Home Health and Hospice, especially Kristin, Latisha and Andrea.  We are grateful to Mary Lou’s faithful visiting teachers and her bishop Kent Williams.  In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Uinta Home Health & Hospice, 1229 Uinta Street, Evanston, WY 82930.

Funeral service will be held at Crandall Funeral Home in Evanston on Thursday, January 1, 2014 at 11 am.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.