Blum, Benedict N. (1949 – 2023)

BLUM, LUITJENS, KING, MALIK, OHLINGER, TWEEDIE, SMITH, HUEY, REEVES, MAY, JONES, BENGFORD, BERTSCH, SPRINGMAN, PULS

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 1/27/2023 at 16:06:11

Name of deceased: Benedict N. Blum

Aged: 73 yrs, 1 mo, 4 days

Residence: Luverne, Rock County, MN

Born: Nov. 28, 1949; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Died: Jan. 2, 2023; at home, Luverne, Rock County, MN

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023; St. Catherine Catholic Church, Luverne, MN

Survived by: Wife of 47 years, Carol; children, Matthew (spouse, Michelle) Blum of Montevideo, MN, Andrew (spouse, Robin) Blum of Lee Summit, MO, and Laura (spouse, Dean) Luitjens of Luverne, MN; grandchildren, Ryan King, Andrea Luitjens, Victoria Blum, Josh Luitjens, and Benjamin Blum; siblings, Barbara Malik of Harlan, IA, Jerry (spouse, Nancy) Blum of Pacific Junction, IA, Mary Ohlinger of Omaha, NE, Joan (spouse, Dave) Tweedie of Lincoln, NE, Jean (spouse, Norman) Smith of Dunlap, IA, Roger (spouse, Teresa) Blum of Griswold, IA, Delores (spouse, Tom) Huey of Harlan, IA, Lois Reeves of Harlan, IA, Sheila (spouse, Nick) May of Westphalia, IA, Dean Blum of Harlan, IA, Karen (spouse, Dan) Jones of Council Bluffs, IA, Lisa (spouse, Rodney) Bengford of Harlan, IA, and Angie (spouse, Warren) Bertsch of Omaha, NE; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Vincent and Mary Ann (nee Springman) Blum; brothers-in-law, Gerald Ohlinger and Larry Reeves

Education: Attended school in Westphalia, IA; graduated from high school with the Class of 1968

Religious affiliation: Catholic

Military service: Enlisted in the U. S. Army, serving from Aug. 15, 1969 until his honorable discharge Feb. 17, 1972

Marriage: Carol Puls; June 28, 1975; St. Boniface Catholic Church, Westphalia, IA

Employment: After his military service, he worked as a butcher in Council Bluffs, IA. and after his marriage, he went to work at a meat packing house in Omaha, NE. In the summer of 1979, they relocated to Mankato, KS until the packing plant closed at the end of 1986. The next moves were to Norfolk, NE, Fargo, ND in 1998, Rock Rapids, IA and then to acreage near George, IA in 1999. In 2013, Ben was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. They sold the acreage in 2014 and moved to Sheldon, IA. Towards the end of 2016, they moved to Luverne, MN.

Hobbies/Interests: Loved fishing and working with his goat herd or his bird flock; when his sons were in boy scouts, he was very involved and remained active in the years after; was involved with all activities for his children including 4H and FFA; was a 3rd Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus

Sources: harlanonline.com