A memorial service and celebration of life for William “Bill” G. Blume, 87, of Storm Lake, will be held at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 11, 2013, with Pastor Matt Miller officiating. There will be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the service. With respect to his wishes, cremation with burial in Spirit Lake will take place at a later date. The Redig Funeral Home of Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.
Bill passed away quietly on January 7th 2013 at his home in Storm Lake.
William Girard Blume was born on April 27th, 1925 near Dunlap, Iowa and was raised on the family farm by parents William A. and Edna (Girard) Blume. He graduated from Dunlap High School in 1943, and a few months later enlisted in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the 1377th AAF Base Unit – Air Corps Branch. He trained in several states in the US and was honorably discharged in March 1946 after demobilization. He attained the specialty of Airplane Armored-Gunner on the B-24 bomber and the rank of Sergeant. Bill attended college classes in Oshkosh, WI. His belief in, and love of, his country, the flag, and the right to keep and bear arms to defend his country were ideals he held dear throughout his life.
With the end of the war, he obtained his pilot’s license in 1946. He worked in Spirit Lake, and later in Storm Lake for Northwestern Bell, where he was employed as a telephone lineman and in cable maintenance for the next 21years.
While in Spirit Lake, he met his life partner, Raydene Deel, daughter of Frank and Margaret Deel. They were married at the Methodist Church in Arnold’s Park on October 18, 1948. To this union were born Dan William, Cynthia Rae, Lori Margaret and Renae Lynn.
In the late 60’s, he began his own business as an Independent Telephone Contractor working as a cable splicer and in new construction with independent telephone companies throughout the mid-west. He later entered into partnership with Robert Fitzpatrick of Milford. When semi-retired he enjoyed spending time selling items at gun shows in Iowa and surrounding states.
William was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and held positions as Master of the Jewel Lodge, High Priest of the Rabbi Chapter, and Grand Master of Iowa. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, the Eastern Star, the American Legion and the NRA. He enjoyed hunting, target shooting, having coffee with friends and loved visits with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents Wm. A. and Edna Blume, two sisters, Betty Miller and Virginia Blume, twin brother Joseph Blume, his daughter Lori Ripley-Woodard, and son-in-law Dan Ripley.
He leaves to mourn: his wife Raydene of Storm Lake, son Dan and his wife Nancy Blume of Roland, daughter Cindy and her husband Neal Johnson of Nemaha, daughter Renae Blume of Denver, CO, son-in-law Dale Woodard of Elkhorn, NE, four grandchildren Jeff and his wife Melissa Blume, Kelly Johnson, Amanda and Kylee Ripley, step-grandchildren Jessica and Nicholas Woodard, two great-grandchildren Kade and Konnor Blume, three step-great-grandchildren, Dominik, Miah, and Makenzie Woodard, as well as extended family and friends.