Traci Lynn Blan

Detroit- Traci Lynn (Slye) Blan was born on March 23, 1969 to Gene and Diana (Prentiss) Slye in Yuma, Arizona. Traci grew up in Lovell, Wyoming and graduated from high school in 1987 from Lovell Bible Christian School. She was the first and only graduate. Seeking higher education and her love of horses, she attended N.W. Community College with a major in Equine Studies. Unlike many other college students, Traci got to take her horse with her to school. She graduated with an associate degree in Equine Studies. Eventually, Traci would also pursue a psychology major at Taylor University in Fort Wayne, Indiana followed by two years at Pioneer Pacific College.  Eventually she received her LPN degree and was the valedictorian of her class where she also worked as a clinical lab assistant.  Always a hard worker, throughout her life she held several jobs. While in high school she competed in sports and did photography for the Lovell Chronicle. During her summer breaks she would work on horse ranches.  Her outgoing personality and skill at riding allowed her to even be the Rodeo Queen. One summer she taught Ken McNabb how to ride when he was only four years old. Ken now is a famous horse trainer and even has his own brand of saddles and western gear. Traci was proud to know that she helped launch such a famous trainer career. She would also work at the Timberlee Christian Center in Wisconsin as a barn manager and would care for 52 head of horses. She would take people on trail rides and do small animal talks while she worked there. Later on, Traci would move to Orange Lake, Florida where she did horse grooming and training for Rahara Arabians. Besides working at horse ranches, Traci would work as a McDonald’s manager in Toppenish, Zilah and Yakima, Washington. Traci was exceptional at working in customer service and hospitality. She would work as a barista at the Eagles Nest in Gates and managed Poppa Al’s in Mill City. Traci was also gifted at caring for others. She worked as an LPN at Marion Estates and was a charge nurse at Sherwood Park in Keizer.  Her last job was at Avamere Transitional Care at Sunnyside in Salem. Besides working hard, Traci loved painting, 4-h, western riding, western showmanship, English dressage, being a 4-h junior counselor, photography, leathercrafts, camping, hiking, writing, music (she loved karaoke!), painting and collecting Breyer horses, calligraphy, airsoft wars with her nephew and grandchildren, and she loved to build things. Traci met Laurie Blan and they married Dec. 20, 2014 and with their union Traci gained an entire family. A family in which she loved deeply. Traci passed away on November 20, 2019 in Salem, Oregon at age 50.  She is survived by her loving wife, Laurie Blan and her family; Son, John-Paul; daughter, Jennifer; grandchildren, Wyatt, Gaven, Alyvia; parents, Gene and Diana Slye; sisters, Janel Slye and Caroline Moore; nephew, Brandon Street; 94 yr old Grandma, Betty, and aunts, uncles and cousins. The family thanks you for the love and support you have shown them over the last few days. Many have asked how they can help or lend a hand. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that contributions be made on this memorial page or sent to the family to help cover funeral and medical expenses that have accrued. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Gates Community Church in Gates, Oregon. Please leave online condolences at weddle-funeral.com