Glendora Blumer Howarth died at the age of 101 in Ottumwa, IA on August 28, 2018 after a long bout with happiness and fulfillment. Her first 100 years were amazing!
She was born to Isal White Derby and Charles Derby on February 1, 1917. She commented that she had a happy childhood. She loved playing hide and seek and playing in “Little Soap Creek.” She said there were Friday night parties, wiener roasts and in winter, coasting parties. Glendora attended country schools No. 4 and No. 9, before graduating from Blakesburg High School in 1934 in a class of 12. She was the last surviving member of her class and attended an all class reunion celebrating her 80th reunion. As a child, she attended Prairie Chapel Church, later becoming a member of the Blakesburg Christian Church. She also attended services at Sylvan Woods, after moving from Blakesburg to Sylvan Woods Assisted Living in 2006.
At the age of 17, she met Harold “Keith” Blumer and after a long courtship they were married on February 14, 1937. They had three children.
Glendora and Keith farmed southeast of Blakesburg, before moving to Blakesburg in 1969. Glendora was very active in her church, enjoyed quilting and sewing, was a member of Merrie Bee, CWF and later was an Avon representative, which she enjoyed very much.
In school, geography was her favorite subject. She couldn’t believe how big the world was. After Keith passed away in 1981, Glendora travelled with friends and got to see a lot of that “big world” including Alaska, Hawaii, Germany and surrounding countries.
In 1990, Glendora married Harold Howarth and although he passed away in 1992, they shared many good times and travels.
Along with Keith and Harold, Glendora was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, numerous relatives, including her brother, Max and his wife Marion, her favorite son-in-law, Glen Jones, her beloved grandson, Wesley Blumer and many special friends.
Surviving are her daughter, Twila Jones, her son, Edward and wife Lorrie Blumer, her son Karl and wife Mary Ann Blumer, and her step-daughter, Janet and husband Mike Moore. Also, her sister Patty and husband Bob “Corky” James. Glendora is also survived by her three grandchildren, Jeff (Barb) Brittain, Julie (Jim) Preston, Jolynda Huff and special friend Greg Turner; four great-grandchildren, Travis (Mandy) Brittain, Zac (Allyssa) Preston, Stephanie Preston and Jordan Huff and her special friend, Justin McQueen; and six great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her good friend, her four-legged granddaughter, Sassy Rose Blumer. In the last few months, Glendora suffered a health decline and although she didn’t always know who was visiting, she always knew her Sassy. Towards the end she would say “goodbye Sassy, good bye, be a good girl, goodbye old gal”. Now it’s our turn to say goodbye old gal, you were loved and you will be missed.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Mel Kendall officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery south of Ottumwa.
Visitation begins at 1 p.m. Friday with the family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. The family will also be present one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Memorials may be made to Blakesburg Christian Church.
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