Helen L Blum

Funeral Services for Helen L. Blum will be held at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Larry Doubet, officiating. Interment will be in the Alma Cemetery, following the services.

Helen Lorraine Blum, 97 years of age, of Alma, passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society – Colonial Villa in Alma. Helen was born October 29, 1920 at Oxford, Nebraska, the sixth of eight children born to Gilbert Benjamin and Alva Susan (Lusk) Tice. She received her primary education from Mascot School through the fourth grade, then a rural school near Atlanta; then Ragan Public School for 9th and 10th grades, prior to graduating from Alma High School with the class of 1938. She then pursued her teaching certificate, receiving her Normal Training. Helen taught at a rural school, called the Tin Shed north of Stamford, and then taught in a rural school northeast of Alma.

On April 5, 1941, Helen was united in marriage to Ira O. Blum at the First Christian Church Parsonage in Alma, while he was on a weekend break from basic training. To this union three children were born: Linda Carol, Steven Alan and Lisa Ann. When the kids were young, she devoted her life to her children. After Ira returned home from the service, they owned and operated a gift and souvenir shop for ten years, called the Trading Post. In later years, Helen was employed as a store clerk at Stuhmer's Ben Franklin. Helen also drove school bus, assisting Ira as they owned and operated the Alma School Bus Transportation System for 26 years until selling the business.

During retirement years, Helen and Ira enjoyed many friendship bonds that were formed in Harlan Wheeler's Camping Club, as they traveled extensively in their camper.

Helen was a devoted member of the First Christian Church in Alma, where she was active in Christian Women's Fellowship, and served as a church deaconess. She was also an active member of the Fay Cady American Legion Auxiliary Post #118. On July 31, 2014, she was preceded in death by Ira; after 73 years of marriage.

Besides her husband, Ira, and her parents; Helen was preceded in death by; her six brothers: William, Robert, Howard, Wilbur, Albert, and Richard Tice; and one sister, Doris Lucke.

Helen leaves to celebrate her life; her three children: Linda Englund and her husband, Melvin of Kearney, Nebraska; Steven Blum and his wife, Christine of Arlington Heights, Illinois; and Lisa Howsden and her husband, John of Huntley, Nebraska; three grandchildren: Rick Englund and his significant other, Debbie Farmer; Vicky Keezer and her husband, Jason; and Jason Blum; three great-grandchildren: Ricky, Xander and Dylan; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma.

A memorial has been established in Helen's honor, and kindly suggested to the First Christian Church in Alma or the Good Samaritan Society – Assisted Living and Colonial Villa of Alma.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.