Minerva Blockhus

MINERVA JOSEPHINE BLOCKHUS Cedar Rapids Minerva Josephine Blockhus, 96, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha. Funeral service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A visitation will be held Monday, March 18, 2019, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Minerva was born Sept. 14, 1922, the daughter of Carl and Martha (Sampson) Johnson, in rural Clayton County, Iowa. She was married to Herbert Blockhus on July 23, 1941, in Caledonia, Minn. He passed away on Aug. 16, 1989. Together they farmed in the Elgin, Iowa, area until 1967, when they moved to Marion, Iowa. She loved spending time with her family more than anything. Minerva later attended adult education classes and received her high school diploma from Kirkwood Community College at the age of 60. She enjoyed square dancing, shuffleboard and playing cards. Minerva lived on her own until the age of 92, before moving in with her youngest daughter, Angela, and family. She greatly enjoyed birds and feeding wildlife. Minerva was a friend to everyone. She will be missed dearly, but we know she is with her Lord and Savior now. Survivors include her three sons, David (Sherry) Blockhus, Carlyle (Zaida) Blockhus and Norris (Lonnie) Blockhus; two daughters, Shirley (John) Metz and Angela (Mike) Dahl; 13 grandchildren, Desiree, Derek, Joshua, Mike, Chris, D.J., Marlena, Karen, Brent, Nora, Sara, Ashley and Mitchell; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband; grandson, Drew Metz; two brothers, Martin and Joseph Johnson; and four sisters, Mary Larson, Clara Larson, Selma Peterson Bailey and Hilda Guler. The family would like to give a special thank-you to Dr. Anne Metzger, Hospice of Mercy, along with Elli, Debbie and Sheri, for all their help over the past few years. Memorials may be directed to the family in memory of Minerva to be given to some of her favorite charities. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.