Jerome Bluml

Jerome "Jerry" George, son of Joseph and Frances (Wittrock) Bluml, was born May 13, 1923 at Manning, Iowa. He lived with his family in Halbur and attended school there. At the age of 8 years, Jerry started farming and raising cattle with his father while he finished his schooling. On April 13, 1946 Jerry was united in marriage with Bonnie Elizabeth Niehaus at Sacred Heart Church in Manning, Iowa. Three sons were born to this union. Jerry and Bonnie first made their home in Glidden then on a farm west of Carroll until 1961 when they rented a farm near Gray. In 1971 they purchased the present family farm northwest of Manning. Jerry raised crops, hogs and cattle. All of their children served in the United States Air Force, of which Jerry was very proud. After the death of his wife in 2003, Jerry remained on the farm, always working as was usual for him. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and was able to remain at home with the care of his son. He entered hospice care at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center three days before his death there on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the age of 89 years, 7 months and 21 days. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; wife Bonnie in December of 2003; brothers Jim Bluml and Larry Bluml; sisters Delores Odendahl and Esther Rohe; sisters-in-law Elaine Hansen, Ruth Roderick and Arlene Auen; brothers-in-law Earl Niehaus, John "Jack" Niehaus, Mick Niehaus, Sylvester Irlbeck, Vernon Hinners and Loras Stork. Jerry is survived by three sons David Bluml and wife Diana of Evansdale, IA; Thomas Bluml and wife Janell of Audubon, IA and Michael Bluml of Manning; seven grandchildren: Danielle and husband Todd Barth, Jeanne Bluml, Monica and husband Ken Ritchie, David Carl Watson, Jessica Bluml and husband Gregor Ernst, Kristin and husband Robert Mallinger and Jamie Bluml; five great-grandchildren: Dillon and Katelyn Barth; Miles and Dominic Ritchi; Stella Watson; Avery Ernst and Xavier Mallinger; brothers: Elmer Bluml and wife Bernice of Carroll, IA; Glenn Bluml and wife Sharon of Hawarden; Don Bluml and wife Carol of Dubuque; sisters Ardella Irlbeck of Templeton; Ardith and husband Albert Sturm of Manning; Margaret Hinners of Manning and Charlene Stork of Glidden; sister-in-law Faye Bluml of Carroll; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. REV. ROBERT GRALAPP, CELEBRANT Lector RAY THIELEN Eucharistic Minister VICKI THIELEN Music "BE NOT AFRAID" "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" AMAZING GRACE" "HOW GREAT THOU ART" SACRED HEART CHOIR ANN MUHLBAUER, ORGANIST Casket Bearers ROGER EISCHEID GARY ODENDAHL MIKE EISCHEID JIM HERBERS JOE HERBERS JAMIE BLUML Interment SACRED HEART CEMETERY, MANNING, IOWA