Gertrude Blum

Hastings resident, Gertrude Adele (Chambers) Blum, 100, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at Perkins Pavilion Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village, Hastings, Nebraska.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. There will be no viewing or visitation.

Gertrude Adele (Chambers) Blum, the daughter of Wilbur and Minnie Pearl (Frazier) Chambers was born on February 4, 1915 in Arcadia, Nebraska. She came with her parents to Hastings when she was four years of age. She attended Lincoln School from Kindergarten to the 6th grade, then to junior high and high school, graduating in 1934. On September 16, 1934 she was united in marriage to John Blum. To this union two children were born a son, John and a daughter, Patricia Ann who died of polio at the age of 15. She lived in Hastings until she moved to Good Samaritan Village in 1975. Her husband John died on August 13, 1990 at Village Grace. Two years later she met Walter Nielsen and they had a wonderful friendship for a number of years. He died on June 30, 2002. Gertie, as she liked to be called, was a member of the Congregational Church since the 1950's, past President of Lincoln School PTA, past President of Eagles Auxiliary, past President and Secretary of Towers Council and past floor representative. She was a member of V.F.W. Auxiliary and the Golden Age Entertainers where she served as Secretary and Historian of the Band. She was a Cub Scout den mother when her son was in cub scouts and a Girl Scout leader when her daughter was a Brownie and later in Girl Scouts. She was employed at Hastings Regional Center for 20 years. She was a volunteer at the Village for over 20 years and loved to write poetry and send cards to people.

Here's one last poem:
Friendship is a chain of gold
Shaped in God's all perfect mold.
Each link, a smile, a hug, a laugh, a tear
A touch of the hand, a word of cheer.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; daughter, Patricia Ann; sister, Pheobe Dier; brother, Wilbur Chambers; great-granddaughter, Kelsey; and friend, Walt Nielsen.

SURVIVORS:
Son & Daughter-in-law:
John W. & Carolyn Blum - Hastings, NE
Grandsons & Spouses:
John Jr. & Marcia Blum
Terry & Sharon Blum
Great-Grandson:
Evan Blum
Great-Granddaughter:
Lindsey Blum
Sara Blum
Hanna Blum
Great-Great-Grandsons:
Chase John Blum
Carson John Blum
Lots of friends