Blume, William "Bill" (1925-2013)

BLUME, GIRARD, DEEL, MILLER, WOODARD, RIPLEY

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/30/2013 at 09:46:29

William "Bill" Blume
April 27, 1925 - January 7, 2013

William "Bill" Blume, 87, passed away quietly on January 7, 2013, at his home in Storm Lake.

William Girard Blume was born on April 27, 1925, to William A. and Edna (Girard) Blume on the family farm near Dunlap. He graduated from Dunlap High School in 1943, and a few months later, he enlisted in the Army Air Force as a member of the 1377th AAF Base Unit - Air Corps Branch during World War II. He trained in several states in the US and was honorably discharged in March, 1946, after demobilization. He attained the specialty of Airplane Armored-Gunner on the B-24 bomber and the rank of Sergeant. Bill attended college classes in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Throughout his life, he held dear his belief in and love of his country, the flag, and the right to keep and bear arms to defend his country.

With the end of the war, he earned his pilot's license in 1946. He worked in Spirit Lake and later in Storm Lake for Northwestern Bell as a telephone lineman and in cable maintenance for the next twenty-one years.

While in Spirit Lake, he met his life partner, Raydene Deel, daughter of Frank and Margaret Deel. They married at the Methodist Church in Arnold's Park on October 18, 1948. To this union were born Dan William, Cynthia Rae, Lori Margaret, and Renae Lynn.

In the late '60s, he began his own business as an Independent Telephone Contractor working as a cable splicer and in new construction with independent telephone companies throughout the mid-west. He later entered into partnership with Robert Fitzpatrick of Milford. When semi-retired, he enjoyed spending time selling items at gun shows in Iowa and surrounding states.

A member of the Masonic Lodge for over fifty years, William held positions as Master of the Jewel Lodge, High Priest of the Rabbi Chapter, and Grand Master of Iowa. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, the Eastern Star, the American Legion, and the NRA. He enjoyed hunting, target shooting, having coffee with friends, and, most of all, visits with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, William A. and Edna Blume; two sisters, Betty Miller and Virginia Blume; a twin brother, Joseph Blume; his daughter, Lori Ripley-Woodard; and son-in-law, Dan Ripley.

Those he leaves to mourn include his wife, Raydene, of Storm Lake; his son, Dan, and his wife, Nancy Blume, of Roland; his daughters, Cindy, and her husband, Neal Johnson, of Nemaha, and Renae Blume, of Denver, Colorado; his son-in-law, Dale Woodard, of Elkhorn, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Jeff, and his wife, Melissa Blume, Kelly Johnson, and Amanda and Kylee Ripley; his step-grandchildren, Jessica and Nicholas Woodard; two great-grandchildren, Kade and Konnor Blume; and three step-great-grandchildren, Dominik, Miah, and Makenzie Woodard; as well as extended family and friends.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 11, 2013, with Pastor Matt Miller officiating. A one hour visitation at the church will precede the service. With respect for his wishes, cremation with burial in Spirit Lake will take place at a later date. The Redig Funeral Home of Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.

© Copyright 2013, Storm Lake Pilot Tribune

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune
 

Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen