Dennis John Blum passed away on August 27, 2008 at his home in rural Monticello/New Glarus. He was with family and under Monroe Hospital and Clinic Hospice care at the time of his passing. Dennis was born April 25, 1930 in the home of his parents, John and Alma Blum, rural Monticello/New Glarus. He attended Farmer's Grove School.
On January 4, 1953, Dennis married Jean Miller in Janesville, Wisconsin. Together, Dennis and Jean worked the homestead farm for 55 years. In June 2008, Dennis and Jean were recognized as the Green County Oldest Active Dairy Couple.
Dad didn't have a formal education beyond country school but instead used his vast knowledge of the land and how to make things work to teach his kids about farming, family values, and working hard. Dad didn't have any hobbies beyond working the farm but always took time to find the first wild asparagus of the season for Mom to make for lunch. Or he would bring her some green beans to fix from his special garden at the end of a corn strip that was never weeded but always had "better" vegetables than Mom's carefully tended garden. Dad knew just when the sweet corn was ready to be picked and would deliver us some fresh ears after we had moved away. Dad knew the best blackberry patches and we could never pick as many as he always found. Later, he would grow raspberries and share them with the grandkids that loved them.
Dad survived many challenges in living and working the farm. Several times he was hurt in accidents on the farm - trampled by a bull, pinned under a tractor, a truck rollover. He also fought illness in having heart bypass surgery and a cancerous tumor on his eye. During his treatments for colon cancer, Dad continued to do his best to stay active and keep farming. He never stopped working or fighting.
Dennis is survived by his best friend and wife, Jean (sometimes he called her Jeannie); his daughters, Nancy Duerst, Kathy (Roumaine) Holland, Connie Langfoss, Karen (Kendal) Wenger, all of New Glarus and son, John (Angela) Blum of rural Monticello. Dennis was very proud of his 14 grandchildren and enjoyed their visits to the house or farm. His grandchildren are Brian, Paula, and Kevin Duerst, Dennis and Ashley Holland, Justin and Jeremy Langfoss, Kendra and Karson Wenger, Alicia, Dustin, Dylan, Allison, and Johnna Blum.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, John and Alma Blum; his sister, Darlene Duerst; brother-in-law, Elroy Duerst; and son-in-law, Steve Langfoss.
Dennis's love of the land and animals and taking care of both the farm and his family is what gave Dad life. He made a truly remarkable impact on both throughout his life. He will always be missed and remembered.
The family would like to thank the Monroe Clinic Oncology Department for their care and concern in treating Dad's cancer. Thank you to Monroe Hospital and Monroe Clinic Hospice nurses Brooke and Sherry for their wonderful care in helping Dad stay at home.
Memorials may be made to the Monroe Clinic Hospice.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 6th Ave., New Glarus, WI, with Pastor Petra Streiff officiating.
Relatives and friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of service on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, New Glarus.
On January 4, 1953, Dennis married Jean Miller in Janesville, Wisconsin. Together, Dennis and Jean worked the homestead farm for 55 years. In June 2008, Dennis and Jean were recognized as the Green County Oldest Active Dairy Couple.
Dad didn't have a formal education beyond country school but instead used his vast knowledge of the land and how to make things work to teach his kids about farming, family values, and working hard. Dad didn't have any hobbies beyond working the farm but always took time to find the first wild asparagus of the season for Mom to make for lunch. Or he would bring her some green beans to fix from his special garden at the end of a corn strip that was never weeded but always had "better" vegetables than Mom's carefully tended garden. Dad knew just when the sweet corn was ready to be picked and would deliver us some fresh ears after we had moved away. Dad knew the best blackberry patches and we could never pick as many as he always found. Later, he would grow raspberries and share them with the grandkids that loved them.
Dad survived many challenges in living and working the farm. Several times he was hurt in accidents on the farm - trampled by a bull, pinned under a tractor, a truck rollover. He also fought illness in having heart bypass surgery and a cancerous tumor on his eye. During his treatments for colon cancer, Dad continued to do his best to stay active and keep farming. He never stopped working or fighting.
Dennis is survived by his best friend and wife, Jean (sometimes he called her Jeannie); his daughters, Nancy Duerst, Kathy (Roumaine) Holland, Connie Langfoss, Karen (Kendal) Wenger, all of New Glarus and son, John (Angela) Blum of rural Monticello. Dennis was very proud of his 14 grandchildren and enjoyed their visits to the house or farm. His grandchildren are Brian, Paula, and Kevin Duerst, Dennis and Ashley Holland, Justin and Jeremy Langfoss, Kendra and Karson Wenger, Alicia, Dustin, Dylan, Allison, and Johnna Blum.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, John and Alma Blum; his sister, Darlene Duerst; brother-in-law, Elroy Duerst; and son-in-law, Steve Langfoss.
Dennis's love of the land and animals and taking care of both the farm and his family is what gave Dad life. He made a truly remarkable impact on both throughout his life. He will always be missed and remembered.
The family would like to thank the Monroe Clinic Oncology Department for their care and concern in treating Dad's cancer. Thank you to Monroe Hospital and Monroe Clinic Hospice nurses Brooke and Sherry for their wonderful care in helping Dad stay at home.
Memorials may be made to the Monroe Clinic Hospice.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 6th Ave., New Glarus, WI, with Pastor Petra Streiff officiating.
Relatives and friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of service on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, New Glarus.