Michael R. Bloom

Michael Robert Bloom, son of Stanley Wayne and Helen Phyllis (Finley) Bloom, was born January 17, 1945, in Red Oak, Iowa. He entered into rest at his home, surrounded by his family, on Monday, December 29, 2025, at the age of 80.

He grew up on the family farm and attended grade school in Northboro, Iowa. He attended high school in Shenandoah, Iowa, and graduated in 1963. After graduation, Mike went on to attend C.E. School of Commerce, Business Track, in Omaha, Nebraska. As a young man, Mike had a strong desire to join the military, but unfortunately didn't qualify.

In November of 1968, Mike was united in marriage to Joan Marie Schumacher at St. Cecelia's Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple resided on the Bloom family farm west of Northboro for twelve years, then moved to the Vail and Carroll area for another twelve years. In 1994, they returned to the family farm at the request of Mike's dad to take care of the farm and the home place, and it is where Mike would continue to call home.

Outside of farming the family farm, Mike worked for Larry Anderson Painting in Shenandoah, Ray Walter's Construction in Farragut, and carpentry work in both Carroll and Northboro areas. After marriage, Mike was a member of the Jay Cee's in Shenandoah and a Scout Leader in Northboro for a time. He had always supported his wife in raising their two children Catholic and in the spring of 2019, Mike joined the Catholic Church.

Mike was an amazing checkers player and could win most games in just a couple minutes. He also enjoyed playing Chess and Cribbage or collecting antique furniture, marbles, ink wells and bottles, but in nature is where Mike preferred to spend his time. He enjoyed fishing, especially at night, and hunting season with family and friends. He was truly a steward of the land. He spent countless hours tending the Bloom family farm, but he also restored prairie grasses, planted trees, and created a sanctuary for his family to enjoy. He was the embodiment of an outdoorsman and was content to be a guardian of the Bloom homestead.

He was always kind to others and rarely had a harsh word. At times he had an ornery sense of humor. He was truly a salt of the Earth renaissance man whose kindness and compassion were always available to others. Mike was a loving father with abundant patience, and a calm gentle strength present throughout life's difficult moments. He loved his family dearly and they loved him in return.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Stanley and Phyllis; in-laws, Paul and Marie Schumacher; beloved aunts and uncles; his sister, Patricia Kay Myers; and two sisters-in-law. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joan (Schumacher) Bloom of Northboro, Iowa; son, Ari David of Northboro, Iowa; daughter, Sarah Leanne and her husband Brandon Frank of Middleton, Wisconsin, and their two children; a favorite sister-in-law, Theresa Wilson; six other sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law; 27 nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews; eight cousins and their spouses and children.