Esther Blum

Esther Myra Brown Blum was born September 16, 1913 to Florence and Irvin Brown on a farm in Dickinson County, Iowa. She attended country school to the 8th grade, then worked her way through high school, graduating from Spirit Lake High School in 1932. Esther married Clifford A. Blum of Terril on December 24, 1934. To this union three daughters were born: Myra, Sheila and Becky. She joined the Methodist Church in 1934, and was a Sunday School teacher for 3-4 year olds for many years, 4 years as Camp Quest councilor, U.M.W. & Circle. She served as 4-H leader for 11 years, was a member of Loyal Friends club, Library Board, Alpha Federated Club, charter member of the Terril Community Boosters, belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, and Gloria Chapter of Eastern Star. Esther cared for many children while their parents went on vacations, and provided regular child care for many others. She liked to cook, sew, raise flowers to share with friends and for weddings, church and club affairs, and for her own pleasure. Most of all she liked to love and care for her husband of 63 years and her three daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clifford in 2003, brothers Chester Brown, Roland Brown, Melvin Brown, and sisters, Irma Stammer, Bonnie Smith and Doris Molendorp. Left to cherish her memory are sisters Alice Taylor, Flora Smith and Abbie Sash; sisters-in-law Esther Helen Brown, Carol Olson, Gerry Sternberg & husband Hubert, brother-in-law Bill Thomsen; Daughters and their husbands Myra & Orlyn Steffen, Sheila & Paul Currans, Becky & Dick Curry, 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 34 great-great grandchildren.