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Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 2:30 PM (Mountain).

United Church
Philip, South Dakota

Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.



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In memory of

Willis Blom

of Selby, South Dakota, died on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Center in Selby, South Dakota at the age of 90

Willis Lloyd Blom was born June 3, 1925, in Mitchell, South Dakota, the son of Jake and Letha (Thomas) Blom. He grew up on a ranch in the Stamford area and received his education in the Belvidere, graduating from Belvidere High School in 1943.

After high school, he moved out to Washington State for a short time before returning to Belvidere and worked on the railroad.

He was united in marriage to Charlotte Gerdon on June 3, 1948, in Murdo, South Dakota. They made their home in Kadoka, where Willis worked for the Highway Department. In 1956, they moved to Philip where Willis worked for Dorothy Brothers for nearly 24 years, and then started working for Scotchman Industries for seven and a half years, retiring in 1987. After his retirement, he started driving the Haakon County Prairie Transportation until retiring in 2003.

In 2007, Willis and Charlotte moved to Mobridge to be closer to their family. Due to health reasons, he entered the Good Samaritan Center in Selby in July 2013, where he has since resided.

Willis enjoyed horseshoes, country music and loved to dance. Cribbage was a game that Willis played often, and taught many of his family members to play. As a young man, he played baseball for many years for Belvidere, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Willis was a member of the United Church of Philip.

Survivors include his wife Charlotte Blom of Selby; one son Lloyd Blom (Diane) of Mobridge; two daughters, Colleen Taylor (Russ) of Fairfax, and Myrna Kary (Jim) of Mobridge; nine grandchildren Misty Davis, Melanie Mertz, Brady Blom, Monica Jons, Donnie Taylor, Charles Taylor, Molly Sybesma, Ben Kary, and Matt Kary; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one sister Lorraine Mundt of Lago Vista, Texas; one sister-in-law Virginia Blom of Yankton; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson Jeremiah Kary; a son-in-law Donald Taylor; two brothers Pete and Dean Blom; and a sister Ilene Kimball.

Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Wednesday.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Graveside services will be held 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Belvidere Cemetery.



Open the Memorial Folder

FUNERAL SERVICES
Wednesday, September 2, 2015 - 2:30 p.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace”
“How Great Thou Art”
USHERS
Rick Dennis - Mike Blom
PALLBEARERS
Misty Davis - Melanie Mertz - Brady Blom
Monica Jons - Donnie Taylor - Charles Taylor
Molly Sybesma - Ben Kary - Matt Kary
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Willis’ Great-Grandchildren
INTERMENT
Wednesday, September 2, 2015 - 4:00 p.m.
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota

  • Colleen and Family,
    Sorry to hear about the Loss of Your Dad; Remember all the Good Memories and know that You all are in our Thoughts & Prayers.
    Sincerely, Kathy & Jerry     ~ Kathy & Jerry Noteboom Lead, SD. (8/29/2015)
  • Was so sad to here of Willis passing. Always rembered him so happy. My heart and prayers are with you. Sincerely yours. ~ Esther Oldenberg Philip (8/29/2015)
  • To Charlotte and family,
    We were saddened to hear of your loss. Willis was like a dad to Jeff and we have many fond memories of when they lived here. We were honored to know him and call him "friend". You have our heartfelt and sincere sympathy. God bless.     ~ Jeff & Kelly Penticoff Philip (8/29/2015)
  • We are so sorry for the loss! What a kind and friendly man was he. Our love and prayers for all.
    Love, Mike & Shar     ~ Mike and Shar Moses Philip (8/29/2015)
  • Charlotte And Family,
    So sorry to hear of Willis passing. I will also remember them as landlords and Willis in the bus and always so friendly and a smile.
    My thoughts and Prayers are with you.     ~ Sandy Neumann Texas (8/29/2015)
  • Charlotte and family, So sorry to hear of Willis passing. I will always remember our trips on the bus and all our visits. He was a very special man, with a smile on his face. Our deepest sympathy. God Bless. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, S.D. (8/29/2015)
  • Charlotte--Willis was such a nice guy. I always appreciated you both when I was pastor at United Church. Sorry for your loss. May God strengthen you during this difficult time. ~ Mark Ford Brainerd, MN (8/29/2015)
  • So Sorry Charlotte and family. Willis was always so happy. I remember him when I used to pick up Sandra when you were her babysitter. Remember the happy memories. Connie Lee ~ Connie Lee 4907 E41st St Apt 204 Sioux Falls SD 57110 (8/29/2015)
  • Charlotte and family
    Willis was one of the nicest people ever. He always had a smile and really loved to visit and was patient with everyone. When he drove the bus everything went smooth and he went the extra mile to help people. My love and PRAYERS for your family. He will be missed. Love joanie     ~ Joan Kirchhevel Rapid City, SD (8/29/2015)
  • Dear Charlotte and family so sorry for your loss. ~ Butch Amsden Santa Rosa Ca (8/29/2015)
  • Our deepest sympathy to the Blom family. Willis was a gentle and caring person. May the love of family and friends help comfort you in the days ahead. ~ Dave & Karen Webb Rapid City, SD (8/29/2015)
  • My memories of "Willy", a nickname he was often called go back to the mid 1940's when I was in high school at Belvidere. Willy and I spent a lot of time together then at the Morford Hotel. I looked up to him as he was older. I believe he was working on the railroad.

    A most vivid memory of him was in the blizzard of 1952. About 20 people were caught at a farmhouse between Okaton and Stamford. Willis spent several nights in a snowbound truck south of there. On the second day a search party set out and found them. When they got Willis to the warm farm house he was shivering badly. I do not think he would have lasted much longer. We were most fortunate that he was still with us.
    Later, over the years he worked at Dorothy Brothers in Philip
    I had many visits with him. Never one to be offensive in any way. Always there to help, for example driving the van in Philip for many years.
    I lost track of Willis while we were out of state for 22 years but once we returned I enjoyed a phone call from him. So sorry that such a good man has left us. Our sympathies to Charlotte and his family.     ~ Glenn Freeman Box 406, Kadoka, SD 57543 (8/29/2015)