Rose Louise Blum

Rose Louise Branstetter Blum was a vivacious woman who passed from this life from cancer on her 85th birthday at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Rose was the daughter of Virgil Abernathe Branstetter and Ada Margaret (McAfee) Branstetter. She was the fifth of eight children in the Branstetter family. She was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, moved to Eagle Grove, then later to Sutherland. She graduated from Sutherland High School in 1942. Following graduation she moved to Detroit, Michigan with her two older sisters and she worked in an airplane factory during World War II. She worked for Briggs Manufacturing where they made wings for Boeing B-17 and B-19 warplanes. Following the war, Rose returned to Milford, Iowa where her family lived and she worked at Justice Grocery store. September 14, 1947 Rose married Henry C. Blum from Terril, Iowa. She worked as a farmwife as they farmed near Terril, Lake Park and Graettinger, Iowa until 1964 when they moved to Holly, Colorado where Henry was employed by the local grain elevator. The family moved to Lamar, Colorado in 1965 and then to Scottsbluff, Nebraska in 1969. In 1972 they relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska then back to Gering, Nebraska in 1976. Rose was employed through the years as an office clerical worker and bookkeeper. In Lincoln she worked for Great Plains National Television Library. Rose and Henry were the beloved parents of two children, Clinton and Gail. Following Henry's death in 1983, Rose moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa near her daughter, Gail. In 2006, Rose relocated to Estherville, Iowa. Rose enjoyed golf, painting, quilting, music and dancing and was a member of the Methodist church. She was a wonderful writer, voracious reader and a great fan of sports, particularly the Iowa Hawkeyes. She was an avid bridge player and treasured the challenge of the game as well of the companionship of her friends. Rose was a devoted wife, and a wonderful mother and was dearly loved by her children and grandchildren. She treasured her family, siblings, many nieces and nephews and many friends. Those near to her will miss her intellect, wit and fiery personality. Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Blum; her parents, Virgil and Ada; her brother, Robert L. Branstetter; her sister, Helen Mae Johnson; and five brothers-in-law. She is survived by her son, Clinton Blum and wife, Sharon, of Littleton Colorado; and her daughter, Gail Blum Bockman of Milford, Iowa. She had 5 grandchildren: Amy Blum Peck of Denver, Colorado; Christopher Blum and Jeffery Blum of Littleton Colorado; Collin Bockman of Iowa City, Iowa and Patrick Bockman of Milford, Iowa; and two great-grandsons, Ciaran and Liam Peck of Denver, Colorado. Also two sisters, Pearl Powell of Sutherland, Iowa and Ruth Fitzpatrick of Churdan, Iowa; three brothers, Merle Branstetter (Betty) of Punta Gorda, Florida, Leonard (Karilyn) Branstetter of Chandler, Arizona, and Charles Branstetter (Betty) of Harlan, Iowa; six sisters-in-law; Ellene Branstetter of Okeechobee, Florida; Opal Smith of Spencer, Iowa; Marjorie Clinkinbeard of Grass Valley, California; Coleen Strube of Tampa, Florida; Patricia Lewis of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Kay Branstetter of Milford, Iowa. Rose also had many nieces and nephews, and dear friends and she treasured each and every one of them. There will be private family services. July 25, 2010 there will be a luncheon party to celebrate her life at Gull Point State Park near Milford, Iowa for all family and friends.