John Blom

Biography

Rock Valley, IA: John Blom, 88, of Rock Valley, Iowa died, peacefully Friday, June 10, 2016 at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull, Iowa after a short battle with cancer. Funeral service will be Tuesday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. at Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Rock Valley with Rev. E.C. Adams officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with family present will be Monday, June 13, at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

John Blom, son of Cornelius and Marie (Van Dorp) Blom, was born August 24, 1927 at Pella, Iowa. At a young age John moved to Rock Valley, Iowa. John was united in marriage with Tillie Vlastuin on January 24, 1951 at Tillie’s parent’s home at Doon, Iowa. He went on to serve his country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1952-1954 during the Korean War. John and Tillie moved to Luverne, Minnesota where the couple farmed from 1955-1960 before they returned to farm near Rock Valley. During the 1960s John was part owner of the Rock Valley Livestock Auction. John enjoyed being in the cattle business and hauled livestock from 1985 until the early 2000s. Once John retired he started JB Trading Post where he enjoyed spending time. John enjoyed working with horses and mules throughout his life. He was a lifetime member of the Netherlands Reformed Church.

John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Tillie Blom; children, Clifford (Alice) Blom of Doon; Jerry (Deceased) Sheryl Blom of Sheldon, Iowa; Marcene (Tony) Travis of Renner, South Dakota; and Ervin (Elaine) Blom of Rock Valley; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Arie Blom of Inwood, Iowa and Henry Blom of Rock Valley; brother-in-law, Gerrit Vande Hoef of Sioux Center, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Jean Blom of Corsica, South Dakota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jerry Blom; infant brother Jake Blom; teenage brother John Blom; brothers, Jake, Jim and Cornie Blom; and three sisters, Marie Schmidt, Jennie Kramer, and Nellie Vande Hoef.