Ronald E. Blume

Ronald E. Blume, 73, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at his home in Indianola, NE surrounded by family following a long journey with COPD.

Ron was born August 27, 1951, at St. Catherine’s Hospital in McCook, NE, to Bernard and Jane (Shirley) Blume. Ron attended school in Indianola and graduated in 1969 with the final graduating class of Indianola High School. Ron married his high school sweetheart, Doris Stritt at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola, on May 2, 1970. To this union, two children were born.

Ron’s early employment centered around agriculture as a feed salesman and later as a grain hauler. He developed great relationships with area farmers and enjoyed many mornings with them and George Cornwell for coffee at the Rocket Inn. Ron drove truck cross-country for many years and could tell great stories about the people and places he encountered while traveling the 48 contiguous states. Ron finished his work career with Valmont as they grew their plant in McCook, retiring in 2010.

Retirement provided opportunities to cruise to Alaska and Hawaii as well as traveling the state of Nebraska visiting communities with wonderful history via the historical markers. He loved history and was an avid reader of the trials experienced expanding the frontier, the patriotism of servicemen who fought to establish and protect the United States, and the stories and pictures of the history of Indianola and Red Willow County.

His greatest pride was the family bonds and experiences he shared from his childhood family, to the family he gained through marriage, and raising a family of his own. He was a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather after investing years into his nieces and nephews. He always showed up for them with love, life lessons, laughter, and a good bit of teasing. He was able to share with them a love and respect for the priority of family, appreciation for nature, the joys of hunting and fishing, the importance of history, and engaged citizenship.

Preceding him in death were his father, Bernard; father-in-law, Clarence Stritt; and stepfather, Charles McConville; grandparents, Theodore and Elizabeth (Kitten) Blume, Walter Shirley, Marie and Cecil Brashears; brothers-in-law, Tom Stritt and Dave Fjelseth; and nephews Greg and Kevin Blackman.

Ron is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Doris; two children, Anne (Doug) Gahn, Lawrence, KS and Paul Blume (Tammy Unger), Indianola; eight grandchildren, Allison (Bryce) Batenhorst, Omaha, Melissa Wright (Dane TenBensel), Arapahoe, Austin (Kelsey) Blume, Heartwell, Brittany (Seth) Gohl, Hayes Center, Tayler (Kohl) Stamm, Benkelman, Emmaly Wright, Alma, Tanner Unger, McCook, and Brett Blume, Indianola; eleven great-grandchildren and another on the way, Haley and Bennett Batenhorst; Jamisen, Tripp, Cooper, and Murphy TenBensel, Emry and Corbin Blume, Kolbi Stamm, Ryett and Hallie Gohl; his mother, Jane Blume McConville and mother-in-law, Alyce Mae Stritt both of McCook; siblings, Tim (Norma) Blume, Indianola, Lorie (Bill) Crocker, McCook, Steven (Doug) Blume-Hearn, Warren, PA; in-laws, Carol Blackman, Indianola, Nanci Stritt, Indianola, Marilyn (Jerry) Slater, Indianola, Nancy Stewart, Omaha, Denis (Doris) Stritt, Indianola, Kathy (Jeff) Osterman, Indianola, Ron (Connie) Stritt, Indianola; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM on Sunday evening, April 27, 2025 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola.

Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Monday morning, April 28, 2025 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola with Father Michael Houlihan celebrating. Burial in the St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Indianola will follow services.

Memorials are suggested to the family of Ron Blume for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.