Wilma J. Blum

March 29, 2011

Wilma was born March 19, 1920 southeast of Howells to Frank J. and Mary (Evert) Karel. She received her education in Colfax County rural school and schools near Leigh and Enola. Following her graduation from Enola High School in 1937 she attended the Grand Island School of Business for two years. Wilma worked for the Military Intelligence Division of the War Department in Washington, DC for three years and in Miami Beach, FL for two years. On July 16, 1946 she married Fred C. Blum at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Howells. Wilma worked as Secretary to the Superintendent of Howells Public Schools for 26 years before she retired in 1988. She was a member and held offices in St. John's Altar Society, Howells Women's Club and the American Legion Auxiliary where she was member for 65 years. She enjoyed playing cards (she had been a member of a Pinochle Club for many years), sewing, handicrafts, gardening, baking (she was famous for her excellent horn rolls, kolaches and family birthday cakes) and following her grandchildren's activities. Most of all she loved spending time with family and friends at their cabin on Bobcat Lake near Schuyler. Wilma had been a resident at Shalimar Gardens Assisted Living Community in Fremont for the past eight years and died March 29 at the Fremont Area Medical Center at the age of 91. Wilma is survived by five children; Patty (Steve) Hillyer of Eugene, OR, Nancy (Stephen) Dreyer of Fremont, Allan Blum of Howells, Laureen (David) Tomich of Puyallup, WA and Brian (Janet) Blum of Falmouth, Maine; 14 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred, (5/3/2001); an infant granddaughter; three sisters, Mildred Schlautman, Mamie Ruzicka Sisel and Lillian Svoboda; one brother, Frank Karel Funeral lunch will be served at the Legion Club To leave a message for the family - at the top of this page click "Send Condolences" / fill in YOUR name and e-mail address / type in your message / click PRIVATE (type in code) or PUBLIC / click "Add Memorial entry".