Gertrude Bloom
April 13, 1918 ~ April 18, 2016
Gertrude E. Bloom age 98 of Nashua, died Monday, April 18, 2016, at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Nashua with Rev. Gary Mayer presiding. Lectors for the Mass will be Ken and Nick Bloom. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Jim Bloom and Stephen Bloom.
Interment will be held in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Nashua with Jeff Link, Jeff Guthart, Robin Lohrman, Doug Goetzinger, Joe Bloom, Tim Bloom, Matt Bloom, Nathan Bloom, and Dustin Bloom serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be David Link, Vince Link, Margi Lehmann, Kevin Link, Michelle Cole, Mark Guthart, Trudi Kellogg, Kyle Lohrman, Sandra Pickart, Cari O'Shea, Kristy Johnson, Kim Diamond, Mike Bloom, Laura Meeks, Sarah Steinmeyer, Maren Bloom, Kenzie Bloom,Drew Bloom, Basia Battiste, Barry Wolfe, Carl Wolfe, Pam Swyter and Mike Swyter.
Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2016, at Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home - Olson Chapel in Nashua. Where there will be a 4:00p.m. Rosary & an 8:00p.m. Scripture Service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the funeral home on Saturday.
Gertrude Evelyn Bloom, a lifelong resident of Nashua, was born on April 13, 1918. She had a beauty shop in the hotel in Nashua. She married Vincent Bloom on October 11, 1938. To this union, nine children were born.
Gertrude was an active member of St. Michael's Church in Nashua. She was chairperson of St. Michael's parish center, in the Guild, and St. Elizabeth's Circle. Gertrude cooked at the Nashua Town & Country Club and Nashua Public School where she helped start the hot lunch program. The couple were members of the Good Sams Camping Club. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, golfing, curling, and playing cards.
Gertrude is survived by 4 daughters, Kay (John) Link of Mason Neck, VA, Beth (Roger) Swyter of Marion, IA, Barb (Don) George of Nashua, IA, Dorothy (Robert) Goetzinger of Hiawatha, IA; five sons, Ken (Kay), Bloom of Escanaba, MI, Richard (Nancy) Bloom of Ackley, IA, Jim (Barbra) Bloom of Albuquerque, NM, Stephen (Kathy) Bloom of Indianapolis, IN, and Nick (Pam) Bloom of Marion, IA; 27 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren and 7 step great-great grandchildren. She leaves a family legacy numbering 140 members. She was truly loved and will be missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent; her parents, Henry and Lucy Osterman; her brother, Bernard, and her sister, Norma Loretta Smith.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, a memorial be given in her name to St. Michael's Parish Center, P.O. Box 308, Nashua, IA 50658.
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I was very saddened to hear of Mrs. Blooms passing. My family was very close to the Bloom family. Kenny was my classmate all through my childhood, through graduation form High School in 1964; I just saw Kenny at our 50th high School reunion, two years ago. I spent many happy hours at the Bloom household, football in the yard, sleepovers; Vincent stood up for me at my Confirmation, and my Father for Kenny. I have remembered Mrs Bloom and the entire Bloom family through years with great fondness. I hope that knowledge is some comfort to the family; that so many people will remember her with same, warm thoughts. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim Korinke
She was my Aunt and my Godmother. Aunt Gertrude now rests with her sister, Loretta, and my Dad, Bernard, with our God in heaven. Thanks be to the Lord. I’ll always remember having our Latte’ on the porch just a few years ago. So many will miss her. Marlene Osterman Larsen
My deepest sympathy and condolences to the entire Bloom family on the loss of a wonderful mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. The Schneider family has lost a precious cousin, too. We’ve all gained an additional guardian angel. My love to you all. Raymond Schneider
To Dorothy and family and to the extended Bloom family: Gertrude was such a strong, loving, and guiding presence in the lives of all she touched, including ours. You were all blessed to have her at the source of your being. Her spirit lives on in your extended, accomplished, spiritually-dedicated family, and its effects continue to multiply through all of you. It’s a remarkable legacy to celebrate in the midst of your loss. We send our sympathy and love to all of you. Nancy Goetzinger and Tom Ramsay, Leesburg, Virginia
One of my fondest memories of Grandma was sitting at her kitchen table doing my homework when I was in first grade and she sat next to me helping me with it.
Full Of Love Bouquet was purchased for the family of Gertrude E. Bloom.
All of us that knew Gertrude Bloom. Never called her Gertrude. The minute you met her she became your Mom. When you entered the Bloom house in Nashua. You were Mom Bloom’s son’s or daughters. Mom Bloom was a treasure lost, and will be very sadly missed. Robert W. Smith
Larry & Barb Schlawin sent a virtual gift in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Larry & Barb Schlawin lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Emerald Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Gertrude E. Bloom.
Steve & Kathy and family; We reach across the miles to you with hugs, sympathy and prayers. May God’s peace fill you with the knowledge that your mom is in the loving arms of her Savior and experiencing more love and beauty than we can imagine. Wish we could be there with you. Ken & Kayla and family.
Dear Dorothy and all, praying for you all during this time. Peggy Drake
Norma and John Daniels and family purchased the Basket Full of Wishes for the family of Gertrude E. Bloom.
She will be miss by many. God bless
Gertrude was an amazing g lady and will be missed.
Barb, I am sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I didn’t know your mom, but I know what it is like to lose a mother. Condolences to you and your family. Karen and Russ Schmidt.
To a Nashua icon. She will be missed.
Debbie, Bobby, and Mary Grace Corpus purchased the Beautiful in Blue for the family of Gertrude E. Bloom.
My sympathies sent to all the Blooms and in-laws. Gertrude was a fine lady and left a wonderful legacy for you all.
Ken, Kay and family we are so sorry about the passing of your mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Jane and Craig Gundry
Basia Battiste lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Dear Grandma, You where so sweet to me from the very start, even though I wasn’t your granddaughter by blood. You treated me as one of your own, and I was blessed to be apart of your large beautiful family. Thank you for your kindness, encouragement and love. I love you Grandma. Basia Battiste
Judy Becthold lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Spring Has Sprung Mixed Basket was purchased for the family of Gertrude E. Bloom.
John & Mary Tegtmeier lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Mike & Deb Stastny lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Betty Orric lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Steve McCarthy lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Dirk Firman lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Casey Hackman lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Leroy Kellner lit a candle in memory of Gertrude E. Bloom
Condolences to the entire Bloom family. I remember being at the Bloom house from time to time on Sunday (in the sixties). There were always lots of kids, but surprisingly it was not real chaotic. There were always board games, Yahtzee or something to entertain. Gertrude would be asking about each grandchild, organizing the next activity, while she was making lunch. Raising nine kids was a huge accomplishment, but having them turn out so well is nothing short of phenomenal.