Gail Ann Blum

Funeral services for Gail Ann Blum were held March 23 at Central Christian Church in Jefferson, with the Rev. Jay Alexander providing words of comfort.

Casket bearers were Anthony Peterson, Tim Gettler, Brandon Schirmbeck, James Allbee, Dave Schrunk and Benny Ayala.

Gary Hall played music. Recorded music selected was “My Dad” by Paul Petersen, “My Girl” by the Temptations, “Who I Was Born to Be” by Susan Boyle, “From This Moment” by Shania Twain, and “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

Following the service was a luncheon provided by the Central Christian Church Ladies. Interment will take place in the Scranton Cemetery.

Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson was in charge of these arrangements.

Gail Ann Blum, daughter of Gail Ambrose and Mildred Churchill Ambrose, was born July 9, 1950, in Jefferson and died March 17 at Mercy One Medical Center in Des Moines. 

Gail grew up in Scranton and graduated from Scranton High School in 1968. After graduation, she got a job as a RTW at Woodward State Hospital. 

On Oct. 25, 1969, Gail married the love of her life, Dennis Frederick Blum, at the Scranton Church of Christ. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Amy. They lived in Grand Junction for about 13 years before moving to Jefferson. 

Gail enjoyed sewing, crafts, camping and doing yard work. She loved her family, but most of all being a grandmother to Eli, who she loved with all her heart. Gail was a member of Central Christian Church in Jefferson. She worked as a RTW for 37 years before retiring in 2005, and then worked at Kum & Go for five years. 

Gail is preceded in death by her parents, Gail and Mildred Ambrose; grandson Gerald F. Anderson; three brothers: Jim, Rick and Mark Ambrose; niece Rachel Gross; sister-in-law Cindy Schirmbeck; brother-in-law Nicholas Schirmbeck; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Gail is survived by her husband, Dennis Blum, of Jefferson; daughter Amy Blum, of Jefferson; grandson Eli Anderson; stepsisters Becky Bailey, of Pleasant Hill, and Diane Guile (Jake), of Des Moines; stepbrother Dennis Starrett, of Des Moines; sisters-in-law Kathy Ambrose, of Des Moines, Mary Ambrose, of Churdan, and Pamela Hamilton, of Jefferson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Memorials may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, P.O. Box 204, Perry, IA 50220.