Roberta Ruth Blomgren, 90, of Normal, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2018) at Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, Normal.
“Bobbie,” as she was known to family and friends, was born on June 11, 1927, in Cornwall Township, Henry County, to Lloyd Zenus and Ruth Mildred Lundell Fickling.
She spent much of her childhood on the family farm near Cambridge, and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1945. After graduation, she went to work in Davenport, Iowa.
On June 13, 1948, she married Roger “Dean” Blomgren, also from Cambridge. They met in 1945 after his return from wartime service in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Following their wedding they moved to Greeley, Colorado to honeymoon and to continue Dean’s university studies. In August 1949, they returned to Illinois so Dean could take a teaching position at Illinois State University in Normal, and they could start a family.
After the birth of their sons, Bill and Gary, Bobbie stayed home to raise the boys. At the same time, she belonged to many service organizations and volunteer groups including PEO, Chapter H.P. (Philanthropic Educational Organization); BroMenn Service Auxiliary; Ariel Club; Home Sweet Home Mission; Head Start volunteers; and Cub Scout mothers. If someone needed help, she was there. Once the boys were in school, she took on part-time work at Illinois State University and spent 16 years helping students navigate the registration process. She also hosted international students and their families during their time at ISU. She was a member of the University Christian Church, Normal, for nearly 60 years, serving as an elder, teacher and choir member, and was active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship, United Campus Christian Foundation and Church Women United. When her church closed in 2008, she joined the First Christian Church, Bloomington.
Bobbie had the best smile and was always excited to meet new people and see new places. She traveled extensively with friends and family throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Family was important to her, and she was very involved with the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always there for them with a kind word and helping hand. She also helped many others in the community when they needed hot meals, rides to appointments, a friendly visit or just a phone call to let them know someone cared. Bobbie was an amazing lady, a devoted wife, a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to all. Her warm personality always drew you in and will be deeply missed. She will never be forgotten by the many people whose lives she touched.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Roger Dean Blomgren, on Dec. 4, 2002; their loving son, Gary Blomgren, on Nov. 28, 2012; her parents and her sister, Lois Fickling Danielson.
She is survived by her son, William (Aileen) Blomgren, Normal; her daughter-in-law, Patricia (Gary) Blomgren, Dummerston, Vermont; six grandchildren, Brian and Rebecca Blomgren; Jennifer (Brian Richardson) Blomgren; Joshua (Karly Erickson) Blomgren; Jesse (Cassie) Blomgren; and Benjamin Blomgren and five great-grandchildren, Noah and Katherine Richardson; Isabella and Jaxon Blomgren; and Riley Sawyer.
Obit by Bill and Aileen Blomgren
“Bobbie,” as she was known to family and friends, was born on June 11, 1927, in Cornwall Township, Henry County, to Lloyd Zenus and Ruth Mildred Lundell Fickling.
She spent much of her childhood on the family farm near Cambridge, and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1945. After graduation, she went to work in Davenport, Iowa.
On June 13, 1948, she married Roger “Dean” Blomgren, also from Cambridge. They met in 1945 after his return from wartime service in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Following their wedding they moved to Greeley, Colorado to honeymoon and to continue Dean’s university studies. In August 1949, they returned to Illinois so Dean could take a teaching position at Illinois State University in Normal, and they could start a family.
After the birth of their sons, Bill and Gary, Bobbie stayed home to raise the boys. At the same time, she belonged to many service organizations and volunteer groups including PEO, Chapter H.P. (Philanthropic Educational Organization); BroMenn Service Auxiliary; Ariel Club; Home Sweet Home Mission; Head Start volunteers; and Cub Scout mothers. If someone needed help, she was there. Once the boys were in school, she took on part-time work at Illinois State University and spent 16 years helping students navigate the registration process. She also hosted international students and their families during their time at ISU. She was a member of the University Christian Church, Normal, for nearly 60 years, serving as an elder, teacher and choir member, and was active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship, United Campus Christian Foundation and Church Women United. When her church closed in 2008, she joined the First Christian Church, Bloomington.
Bobbie had the best smile and was always excited to meet new people and see new places. She traveled extensively with friends and family throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Family was important to her, and she was very involved with the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always there for them with a kind word and helping hand. She also helped many others in the community when they needed hot meals, rides to appointments, a friendly visit or just a phone call to let them know someone cared. Bobbie was an amazing lady, a devoted wife, a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to all. Her warm personality always drew you in and will be deeply missed. She will never be forgotten by the many people whose lives she touched.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Roger Dean Blomgren, on Dec. 4, 2002; their loving son, Gary Blomgren, on Nov. 28, 2012; her parents and her sister, Lois Fickling Danielson.
She is survived by her son, William (Aileen) Blomgren, Normal; her daughter-in-law, Patricia (Gary) Blomgren, Dummerston, Vermont; six grandchildren, Brian and Rebecca Blomgren; Jennifer (Brian Richardson) Blomgren; Joshua (Karly Erickson) Blomgren; Jesse (Cassie) Blomgren; and Benjamin Blomgren and five great-grandchildren, Noah and Katherine Richardson; Isabella and Jaxon Blomgren; and Riley Sawyer.
Obit by Bill and Aileen Blomgren
Roberta Ruth Blomgren, 90, of Normal, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2018) at Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, Normal.
“Bobbie,” as she was known to family and friends, was born on June 11, 1927, in Cornwall Township, Henry County, to Lloyd Zenus and Ruth Mildred Lundell Fickling.
She spent much of her childhood on the family farm near Cambridge, and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1945. After graduation, she went to work in Davenport, Iowa.
On June 13, 1948, she married Roger “Dean” Blomgren, also from Cambridge. They met in 1945 after his return from wartime service in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Following their wedding they moved to Greeley, Colorado to honeymoon and to continue Dean’s university studies. In August 1949, they returned to Illinois so Dean could take a teaching position at Illinois State University in Normal, and they could start a family.
After the birth of their sons, Bill and Gary, Bobbie stayed home to raise the boys. At the same time, she belonged to many service organizations and volunteer groups including PEO, Chapter H.P. (Philanthropic Educational Organization); BroMenn Service Auxiliary; Ariel Club; Home Sweet Home Mission; Head Start volunteers; and Cub Scout mothers. If someone needed help, she was there. Once the boys were in school, she took on part-time work at Illinois State University and spent 16 years helping students navigate the registration process. She also hosted international students and their families during their time at ISU. She was a member of the University Christian Church, Normal, for nearly 60 years, serving as an elder, teacher and choir member, and was active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship, United Campus Christian Foundation and Church Women United. When her church closed in 2008, she joined the First Christian Church, Bloomington.
Bobbie had the best smile and was always excited to meet new people and see new places. She traveled extensively with friends and family throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Family was important to her, and she was very involved with the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always there for them with a kind word and helping hand. She also helped many others in the community when they needed hot meals, rides to appointments, a friendly visit or just a phone call to let them know someone cared. Bobbie was an amazing lady, a devoted wife, a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to all. Her warm personality always drew you in and will be deeply missed. She will never be forgotten by the many people whose lives she touched.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Roger Dean Blomgren, on Dec. 4, 2002; their loving son, Gary Blomgren, on Nov. 28, 2012; her parents and her sister, Lois Fickling Danielson.
She is survived by her son, William (Aileen) Blomgren, Normal; her daughter-in-law, Patricia (Gary) Blomgren, Dummerston, Vermont; six grandchildren, Brian and Rebecca Blomgren; Jennifer (Brian Richardson) Blomgren; Joshua (Karly Erickson) Blomgren; Jesse (Cassie) Blomgren; and Benjamin Blomgren and five great-grandchildren, Noah and Katherine Richardson; Isabella and Jaxon Blomgren; and Riley Sawyer.
Obit by Bill and Aileen Blomgren
“Bobbie,” as she was known to family and friends, was born on June 11, 1927, in Cornwall Township, Henry County, to Lloyd Zenus and Ruth Mildred Lundell Fickling.
She spent much of her childhood on the family farm near Cambridge, and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1945. After graduation, she went to work in Davenport, Iowa.
On June 13, 1948, she married Roger “Dean” Blomgren, also from Cambridge. They met in 1945 after his return from wartime service in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Following their wedding they moved to Greeley, Colorado to honeymoon and to continue Dean’s university studies. In August 1949, they returned to Illinois so Dean could take a teaching position at Illinois State University in Normal, and they could start a family.
After the birth of their sons, Bill and Gary, Bobbie stayed home to raise the boys. At the same time, she belonged to many service organizations and volunteer groups including PEO, Chapter H.P. (Philanthropic Educational Organization); BroMenn Service Auxiliary; Ariel Club; Home Sweet Home Mission; Head Start volunteers; and Cub Scout mothers. If someone needed help, she was there. Once the boys were in school, she took on part-time work at Illinois State University and spent 16 years helping students navigate the registration process. She also hosted international students and their families during their time at ISU. She was a member of the University Christian Church, Normal, for nearly 60 years, serving as an elder, teacher and choir member, and was active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship, United Campus Christian Foundation and Church Women United. When her church closed in 2008, she joined the First Christian Church, Bloomington.
Bobbie had the best smile and was always excited to meet new people and see new places. She traveled extensively with friends and family throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Family was important to her, and she was very involved with the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always there for them with a kind word and helping hand. She also helped many others in the community when they needed hot meals, rides to appointments, a friendly visit or just a phone call to let them know someone cared. Bobbie was an amazing lady, a devoted wife, a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to all. Her warm personality always drew you in and will be deeply missed. She will never be forgotten by the many people whose lives she touched.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Roger Dean Blomgren, on Dec. 4, 2002; their loving son, Gary Blomgren, on Nov. 28, 2012; her parents and her sister, Lois Fickling Danielson.
She is survived by her son, William (Aileen) Blomgren, Normal; her daughter-in-law, Patricia (Gary) Blomgren, Dummerston, Vermont; six grandchildren, Brian and Rebecca Blomgren; Jennifer (Brian Richardson) Blomgren; Joshua (Karly Erickson) Blomgren; Jesse (Cassie) Blomgren; and Benjamin Blomgren and five great-grandchildren, Noah and Katherine Richardson; Isabella and Jaxon Blomgren; and Riley Sawyer.
Obit by Bill and Aileen Blomgren
