Leroy Blom, 87, of Grinnell, died Nov. 12, 2020, at Mayflower Com-munity Health Care Center in Grinnell with family by his side. A private family graveside service and burial was held Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Sully Cemetery with Pastor Brian Ochsner of Sully Christian Reformed Church officiating. Pallbearers were Jeremy Blom, Noah Kephart, Aaron Kephart, Matt Ellenson, Jordan Ely, and Evan Ely. Honorary bearers were Greg Blom, Warren Blom, Riley Ely (d.), Nicole Rea, Amber Wires, Lindsey Schrader, and Rachel Schopf.
Memorial contributions may be designated to East Jasper Christian Food Pantry in Kellogg.
Allen Leroy Blom was born Dec. 14, 1932, at his family home near Otley, the son of Lambertus E. “Bert” and Nellie (DeJong) Blom. He was raised in the Sully area and was a 1951 graduate of Newton High School.
Mar. 1, 1957, he was united in marriage to Janice Lee Fynaardt in Oskaloosa and to this union was born five children. The couple operated a grain and livestock farm near Sully.
Leroy was an active member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church since 1958, serving as a deacon during his membership. From childhood, he always wanted to be a farmer. Leroy took great pleasure in farming and was very proud to farm with his two sons. In retirement, he continued to cut wood around the farm.
Throughout the years, Leroy enjoyed attending his children’s and later grandchildren’s many sporting events. He enjoyed playing games with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. For the past six years, he looked forward to a yearly trip with his three daughters to visit relatives and sightseeing around the United States.
He is survived by his five children: Greg (Jean Lewis) Blom of rural Grinnell, Phyllis Kephart of New Sharon, Lisa (Ken) Ellenson of Amana, Warren Blom of rural Grinnell, and Dee Dee (Laurel) Ely of Kellogg; 10 grandchildren: Jeremy (Desiree) Blom, Nicole (Zach) Rea, Amber (Joel) Wires, Noah (Nikki) Kephart, Aaron Kephart, Rachel (Nate) Schopf, Lindsey (Shane) Schrader, Matthew Ellenson, Jordan (Hope) Ely, and Evan Ely; 17 great-grandchildren and a baby girl due in January; two siblings: Donald (Donna) Blom of Ripon, CA, and Ruth (LeRoy) Van Maanen of Lynnville; sisters-in-law: Florence Blom, Ruth Blom, Betty Augustine, Joyce (Harry) Jochems, and Nancy Roose; and brother-in-law Robert Fairson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Janice in 2010; his son-in-law Lane Kephart in 2006; his grandson Riley Ely in 2017; siblings Robert Blom, Dale Blom, Leona (Charles) Price, and Marjorie Fairson; and brothers-in-law Edward Fynaardt and Art Roose.
