Nell Blanton Holsenbeck Morrow, 98, born February 2, 1924 passed from this life on August 15, 2022. She was born in LaMesa, Texas to Lou Virginia Kennedy Blanton and Charlie Lee Blanton. She had four siblings: Johnny Ruth who has passed away, Charlie Mae (Kitty) 96, William Kennedy (Billy K) 92, and Elton Grant (Smokey or Unkie) 90. She married David Holsenbeck in the early 1940’s. They lived most of their married life in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They were well known around town as everyone’s favorite delivery people for the Las Cruces Sun News. Dave passed away in the 1970’s. His only surviving daughter Jean lives in LaMesa, Texas. Pete as she was affectionately known, married Bill Morrow in 1982 and they lived in Socorro for several years prior to ending up in Belen, New Mexico right before Bill’s death in 1993. Bill had two daughters: Donna Marie (James) Shelton, and Kathy (Dale) Allenberg. They had numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nell, who never had biological children of her own, is survived by many nieces and nephews. She always thought of them as her own kids. Nell homesteaded with her parents in a covered truck belonging to family members to the last land available to homesteading in the United States: PieTown, New Mexico. They settled in Tres Lagunas and built a log cabin with a lodge pole some 25 foot long: the full length of the house. They grew pinto beans, and were able to receive much of their income from the crops of the pinon. Pete’s dad died when the children were quite young. She was in her early teens. She was sent to work to help support the family and never stopped working. She waitressed, babysat, threw newspapers, managed a Meat Locker Plant, and just for kicks and giggles, raised Banty roosters, calves, and the best garden this side of Mexico. She dressed to the “nines” in fancy clothing she designed herself with no pattern, wearing it with native jewelry all of the nieces lusted over from the time they could walk! This all while she wore the cutest tight jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats while tending that infamous garden! Nell, Pete or Aunty (Ain’t-tee) Whatever you called her – she wasn’t someone easily forgetten. She was deeply loved by many, and will be greatly missed by all! Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., (505) 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at www.noblin.com.
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Published by Noblin Funeral Service – Belen on Aug. 16, 2022.
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