Yvette Leigh Blomquist

Yvette Leigh Blomquist was born to Yvonne and Douglas Black in Ogden, Utah on October 8th, 1962. Yvonne later moved to her family farm In Petaluma. Yvette was then given a friend and sibling when Yvonne remarried and brother Matthew was born.
As a very inquisitive child, young Yvette was always outdoors with her animals, and there grew her love of riding horses. If she was indoors, it was to draw or dance. She danced for many years, later leading people through the line dancing craze. During the summers, Yvette continued to visit her father's family in Mexia, Texas as she had throughout her childhood. These times with her Grandparents Elijah and Eunice Black were special to Yvette.
Yvette later graduated from Newark High School and went on to Ohlone College in Fremont, CA. Such a determined young lady she set her sights on California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo to study Natural Resource Management. But that wasn't enough for the industrious Yvette, she took on a second major of Agricultural Science. While at Cal Poly, Yvette lived on a small ranch and managed a horse boarding facility. She had many other part-time jobs and a very active social life, including dancing at The Graduate, horseback riding through Poly Canyon and many crop and animal projects. She 'grew' many lifelong friends at Cal Poly and matured as a woman of integrity. Yvette graduated with honors and continued on.
The focus on Ag Science was to become an Ag Teacher and she gave it a whirl but it really wasn't her gig. She wanted to make a bigger impact and she certainly did! She took a job at the Monterey County Ag Department working with many local growers as an Ag Biologist, but still no weeds were to grow under Yvette's feet. As the CEO of Soilserve Salinas saw her amazing potential, she was 'hand-picked' to become the first woman Director of Environmental Affairs. Eventually Soilserve became the Wilber-Ellis Company where Yvette remained employed for 24 years.
In her free time, Yvette enjoyed helping at friends' cattle brandings and going on trail rides with her cowgirl girlfriends. It was always a great time when Yvette was around! Yvette kept her horse at her cheery homestead on Foothill road until 2005 when Dennis stopped to chat. A close friendship quickly ensued and a strong relationship was cultivated by the two. 5 amazing years later, Dennis decided Yvette was the one for him and proposed on her birthday.
The two were married in a hilltop ceremony on the family ranch surrounded by immediate family.
Along with her pets, horses, leathercrafts and antiques she tilled the land into a fabulous yard with Dennis. BBQ's and gatherings arose with her bonus children Chris, Jill, Elise, and Andrea and their 6 grandchildren. Her mother Yvonne, Aunt Audrey and cousins trekked down for good times.
Sadly, Yvette and Dennis were plagued with the illness Early Onset Alzheimer's. A devoted husband Dennis closed his fabrication business to focus on her wellbeing. Caregiver Toni Mottu was a big blessing at the tail end of Yvette's decline as well as many supportive family & friends. Yvette's sunflower spirit was picked from our earth after a 6-year plight on November 15th 2023.
She is survived by loving husband Dennis, the Blomquist children Chris (Stephanie), Jill, Elise (Donnie), Andrea (Mitch), her mother Yvonne, brother Matthew (Michelle) and children, Aunt Audrey, Cousins Kenny (Jom) and Rob (Sarah) besides a vast array of friends & coworkers.
It's been said, "It takes a long time to grow an old friend"
Many of us would disagree with that regarding Yvette Blomquist.
She knew from the get go if she would have you in her life or not.
Maybe it was her intellect, maybe it was the vibe you brought her tribe.
Either way she was quick to decide on everything in her life. She will be missed immensely.
Visiting service will be held at Struve and Laporte Chapel, 41
W. San Luis Street, Salinas, CA. 93901. Friday, December 1st at 12:00 pm.