Lois Blum
Lois Theresa Blum was born on June 5, 1938, on the family farm south of Defiance, Iowa, to Anthony and Lenora (Klein) Arkfeld. She attended school in Defiance and graduated with the Class of 1956 from St. Paul High School in Defiance. She began working for Mutual of Omaha in Omaha before being united in marriage to Richard Blum at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance. Eight children were born to this union.
Lois worked for many years at Fashions Exclusive in Denison, but her main career and greatest calling was as a devoted farm wife and mother.
She loved being outdoors and preferred working outside rather than cooking meals. Her garden - especially her many tomato plants - brought her great joy, as did her beautiful flowers. Lois enjoyed canning food, building birdhouses, and working with her hands. She was especially talented at woodworking, refinishing furniture, quilting, and crafting, and was known for her careful, conservative nature in all she did.
Lois was a strong role model of faith. She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla and the Altar and Rosary Society, where she shared her quiet strength and devotion with others.
Lois passed away on January 2, 2026, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, having attained the age of 87 years, six months, and 28 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Lenora Arkfeld.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Richard Blum of Denison; children: Kathy (Steve) Lingren of Schleswig, Karen (Randy) Husman of Aurelia, Phil (Lisa) Blum of Denison, Lynette (Dennis) Croghan of Manilla, LuAnn (Owen) Croghan of Alton, Marvin Blum of Harlan, Rick (Jennie) Blum of Ankeny, and Janet (Troy) Schulte of Washington, Illinois; 24 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; siblings: Grace Schechinger of Denison, Kenny (Dorothy) Arkfeld of Harlan, Gladys Wilwerding of Council Bluffs, Elaine (Dick) Gross of Okoboji, Bob (Bev) Arkfeld of Defiance, Allan (Shary) Arkfeld of Buck Grove, and Bruce (Velma) Arkfeld of Defiance; sisters-in-law: Joleen Blum of Omaha, Mary Blum of Omaha, and Marlene Blum of Manilla; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:30 AM, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla, Iowa with Fr. Michael Cronin serving as Celebrant. Mandi Kleinwolterink, Jo Blum and Maria Anastasi served as lectors, Ryelyn and Sawyer Summerfield served as mass servers, Samantha and Brooklyn Schulte served as gift bearers and Nancy Croghan and Lois Croghan served as Eucharistic Ministers. Organist Jean Cornelius provided accompaniment for vocalist, Emily Vargas leading congregational hymns “Be Not Afraid,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” “One Bread, One Body” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Serving as pallbearers were Nate Lingren, Chad Husman, John Blum, Jeremy Croghan, Tom Croghan and Brandon Schulte. Following interment in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery near Manilla, the family invited everyone to the Sacred Heart Fellowship Hall for a time of fellowship and lunch. Services were entrusted to the Huebner Funeral Home.
