Ira O Blum

Funeral Services for Mr. Ira O. Blum will be held at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Larry Doubet officiating. Interment will be in the Alma Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Fay Cady American Legion Post #118 of Alma in conjunction with the United States Army Military Honors Team.

Ira Otto Blum, 96 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Society in Alma. Ira was born November 17, 1917 at Alma, the youngest of four children born to Otto Frank and Mary Caroline (Edwards) Blum. He received his education from Alma Public Schools, graduating from Alma High School with the class of 1936. Following his education, Ira was employed by the Nebraska Department of Roads out of Alma, until he enlisted in the United States Army. On April 5, 1941, during a weekend of his basic training, Ira was united in marriage to Helen Lorraine Tice at the First Christian Church Parsonage in Alma. To this union three children were born: Linda Carol, Steven Alan and Lisa Ann. After their marriage, Ira returned to his basic training and later, was called to active duty during WW II on April 16, 1943. Ira was stationed at Ft. Warren, Wyoming near Cheyenne; he then served at Camp Lee, Virginia graduating from officer's school in 1943 as a Second Lieutenant. He then spent three months in Omaha, Nebraska for automotive school training; then was stationed at Camp Miles Standish near Taunton, Massachusetts, before serving in England. He saw action in the invasion of Omaha Beach, D-Day, in France. Ira was honorably discharged on April 2, 1946.

Ira returned home to Alma, where he operated a taxi service for a few years. He began a long career in school bus transportation, owning and operating the Alma School Bus Transportation System for 26 years. Through the years, the couple also owned and operated a gift and souvenir shop for ten years. Ira was employed at the CO-OP for a short time before his retirement.

During his retirement years, Ira enjoyed fishing, camping with the Harlan Wheeler's Camping Club, and also, traveling in their camper.

Ira was a member of the First Christian Church in Alma, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, served on the church board, was an elder, a deacon, and operated cameras to televise the Sunday services. Ira was also a long time member of the Fay Cady American Legion Post #118.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Myrtle Bennett and her husband, Carl who were killed in a car accident; brothers: Paul Blum and his wife, Alice and Clarence "Ed" Blum and his wife, Elfrieda.

Ira leaves to mourn his passing; his wife of 73 years, Helen Blum of Alma; his three children: Linda Englund and her husband, Melvin of Kearney, Nebraska, Steven Blum and his wife, Christine of Chicago, Illinois, and Lisa Howsden and her husband, John of Huntley, Nebraska; three grandchildren: Rick Englund and his significant other, Debbie Farmer, Vicki Keezer and her husband, Jason and Jason Blum and his wife, Katherine; three great-grandchildren: Ricky, Xander and Dylan; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma.

A memorial has been established in Ira's honor and kindly suggested to the First Christian Church in 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.