- Date Of Birth: April 24, 1939
- Date Of Death: June 21, 2011
- State: Iowa
Keith Virgil “Groucho” Blom was born on April 24, 1939 to William and Clara (De Bruin) Blom in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 72.
Keith received his early education at the European No. 3 school in Lake Prairie Township. He graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1957. For the next nine years he worked for John Hoogenakker in the painting business and later for Hol & Van Maanen Carpentry. In 1969 he started his own business, Keith V. Blom Painting and Papering where he continued a successful business until his health failed.
Keith met Karen Vander Wilt while in seventh grade, they began dating in eighth grade, and the romance continued to grow all through high school.
One of Keith’s favorite pastimes was raising sheep on his farm. Another love was making wooden shoes and friends in the Historical Village during Tulip Time. He also enjoyed playing softball and coached fastpitch for more than 25 years. He was an avid Pella High School sports fan and attended most athletic events. In 2009 he received the State High School Sportsmanship Award. Keith and Karen were true Iowa Hawkeye fans and for 34 years had season tickets to the Iowa basketball games.
Keith was a humble servant and enjoyed helping those in need. He became friends with everyone he met and made many long-lasting friendships. The only friends he didn’t have were the ones he never met.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen of Pella; his three children and their spouses; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers and their wives: Don and Elsie Blom, Herb and Kathy Blom, and Jerry and Judy Blom all of Pella; and many dear friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents, William and Clara Blom.
Keith will be remembered as an extraordinary man of ordinary means.
Family:
Wife: Karen Blom – Pella, Iowa
Curtis & Barbara Blom – Burlington, Iowa
Scott & Carrie Blom
Edie, Maddux
Sarah & Mark Tibbitts
Brenlee
Greg Dieterich
Matt Dieterich
Jill & Mark Vandevoort – Pella, Iowa
Sarah & Joe Harms
Adalynn
Matt & Rachel Vandevoort
Dana & Les Sadler – Pella, Iowa
Alicia Sadler
Elyse Sadler
