Mary J. Bloem

Mary J. Bloem

Mary J. Bloem, 74, of Tripoli, died Sunday, January 18, 2015, at Tripoli Nursing & Rehab.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli with Rev. Scott Duffus officiating. Interment will follow at Fremont Cemetery, rural Tripoli. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 20^th at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Wednesday.

Mary Jane, daughter of Edwin and Gladys Biermann Zander, was born January 21, 1940, at Waverly, Iowa. She received her education in Waverly and Tripoli, graduating from Tripoli High School in 1959. On June 19, 1959, she was united in marriage with Ray Bloem at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli. Mary operated a flower shop out her home in Tripoli for many years. She also worked at the Tripoli Nursing Home, the Bremer County Home, and Tripoli Schools. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she helped with the quilting circle. She also loved fishing, baking, hikes in the woods, and made flower arrangements for friends and family in retirement.

In addition to her husband of Tripoli, Mary is survived by four children, Michael (Penelope) Bloem of Waverly, David (Lanette) Bloem of West Branch, Kristie Bloem (Greg Smith) of Waukon, and Timothy (Tanya) Bloem of Frederika; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one brother, James (Judith) Zander of Charles City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Delores Leistikow and Phyllis Leistikow.

Margaret Wright Family on January 22, 2015 at 7:42 AM said:

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

UI FOP Lodge 6, Iowa City on January 21, 2015 at 5:30 AM said:

Our sincerest condolences to the Bloem family. Dave we are here for you, and your family remains in our thoughts and prayers.

Dick & Carol Poppe on January 20, 2015 at 6:49 PM said:

Ray, Tim & family:
We are deeply sorry hear of Mary's passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this extremely difficult time.m6

Roger and Margo Pleggenkuhle on January 20, 2015 at 3:52 PM said:

Our Sympathy to Mary's family...she always was smiling..Roger said too that he had many good memories of his cousins growing up. Mary was so talented with her flowers...Heaven gained a wonderful angel..we are out in Nevada for the winter so only our thoughts and prayers will be with you at this sad time but please know we send our Sympathy. ROGER &. MARGO PLEGGENKUHLE

Joe and Margie Pleggenkuhle on January 20, 2015 at 9:37 AM said:

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We remember Mary as always having a smile and such a happy nature. She had so much talent with flowers. May God be with you and your family helping you through this difficult time. Love, Cousin Joe and Margie

Mike and Arlene Tiedt on January 19, 2015 at 9:53 AM said:

Our thoughts and prayers to the family.

Jane (Pleggenkuhle) Schmidtke on January 19, 2015 at 9:47 AM said:

I am so sorry to hear of Mary's passing! Over the years I had many fun times with my cousin Mary and her family. I thought about her many times over the years! I am sorry to say I won't be able to make it up for the funeral, but my thoughts and prayers for the family are with you! Ray and James, I'm with you as you go through this tough time. Give me a shout on jmschmidtke@gmail.com Cousin Jane

Lauri Parker on January 19, 2015 at 8:32 AM said:

You are in my prayers Ray! She was a good, kind, loving soul and I was blessed to have known her. Her laughter will forever ring in my ears. Thank you for sharing your lives with us!

Geri Kelsey Salisbury on January 19, 2015 at 8:21 AM said:

Sympathies to all Mary's family. She was a character. Remember her well from spending a lot of time in her families home when I was good friends with her sister Phyllis during our high school days. Heaven got a special angel.

Joe Schnieders on January 18, 2015 at 5:15 PM said:

Very nice lady, sorry to see her pass, prayers to the family. Her Mom used to work for my dad at the Tripoli Locker. I can still remember how fun it was to ride in their green van.

Donna Zell on January 18, 2015 at 4:58 PM said:

So sorry for your loss and prayers with your family in this time of loss.

Donna Zell on January 18, 2015 at 4:56 PM said:

So sorry for your loss and prayers worth your family in this time of loss.

Add Comment

Add Comment