Sloughhouse lost a lifetime resident with the death of Louis J. (Louie) Blodgett June 30, 2012, at the age of 86.
Mr. Blodgett and his brother-in-law Alvin Ostman were responsible for starting one of the region’s first “Choose and Cut” Christmas tree operations with the family partners creating the Blodgett and Ostman Tree Farm.
Mr. Blodgett was born March 6, 1926 to Harvey and Muriel Blodgett who had come to Sloughhouse a couple of years before, settling on the Jared Sheldon ranch. He grew up there, attending the old Rhoads School with sister Lesley who commented that they rode their horses to school.
He graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1944 and upon completion of his military service during World War II, returned home and enrolled in the VA program at the University of California, Davis to study livestock production. While there he was an active member of the Beta Phi fraternity and the shooting team.
After college he was engaged in the family farming and ranching operations in Sacramento and Amador counties. Besides the Christmas tree farm, operations included the production of cattle, hay, hops and row crops in and around Sloughhouse and Amador City.
Mr. Blodgett was active in the community, serving in leadership posts in several organizations including Reclamation District 800, Elk Grove Masonic Lodge No. 173, Scottish Rite, Omochumne Hartnell Water District and the Native Sons of the Golden West (NSGW), to which his father and brother-in-law also belonged.
He was a trustee on the Cosumnes River Elementary School board, a board member of the Sacramento County Farm Bureau, a longtime member of the local U.S. Department of Agriculture Sacramento (now FSC) county committee, and was president of the Amador-El Dorado and Sacramento County Cattlemen’s Association.
His son Bruce said, “My dad had 85 great years on this earth where he could farm, hunt, fish, and do whatever he either needed or wanted to do…Nobody was a stranger in his home and it was not unusual to have several new faces at the dinner table for the evening all enjoying the fruits of his labor along with his wife’s great cooking.
“I was lucky to have my dad around for all of this time and to still have my family and friends to share stories about this great person. So, if you think about it this evening or any other evening, raise a glass and toast Louis Blodgett. That’s the way he would want it…people remembering the good times.”
Mr. Blodgett was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Alvin Ostman in 1996.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Janice; sons Harvey (Margie), Louis Jr. (Merri), Brian (Debi) and Bruce (Pamela); daughter Johanne Blodgett; grandchildren Mindy (Justin Enos), Jason, Mykel, Joseph and Karen Blodgett.
He was the brother of Lesley Ostman, and also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
No services are planned. Remembrances may be made to Sutter VNA & Hospice Foundation, 8330 Ferguson Ave., Sacramento, CA 95828. Cards or letters may be sent directly to the family at The Blodgetts, P.O. Box 1099, Sloughhouse, CA 59683.
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