Obituaries : Vernon James Blomme

Vernon James Blomme was born on March 11th 1933 on a small farm outside of Ladora, Iowa to Emil and Marie (Steyaert) Blomme. Vernon briefly attended a small country school before transferring to the Catholic school in Victor, Iowa until the 6th grade.

At this time, he was kept at home to work full-time on the farm. As was done in those days. He spent his childhood working diligently beside his father, mother, brothers and one sister on a farm outside Victor. Growing up farming with horses, Vernon grew to love them. Later owning his own team of ponies, he would take around town and to parades. Along with working on the farm to earn extra money, as a young boy and teenager Vernon worked with his brother Richard at the Brooklyn golf course carrying golf clubs for $0.50 a day. He also worked emptying railroad cars in Victor. As a teenager, Vernon would get rides to Belle Plaine with an elderly neighbor. He assisted this neighbor to the dance hall and safely back home again. Vernon enjoyed these trips.

One evening in the Kozy Korner, Irene (Robinette) Chekal introduced Vernon to a young Mary Ellen Collum. Shortly after meeting and dating Mary, in 1950 he joined the United States Navy. He served in the Navy until 1955. This was the Korean War era.

During his years of service, on June 12th 1954, he was joined in marriage to Mary in the Bethany Church Belle Plaine, Iowa. The couple then moved to Newport, Rhode Island. Mary gave birth to their first son, James Edward and the couple remained in Newport, Rhode Island until December 1955.

Upon returning to Iowa, the couple resided with Vernon's parents. A house fire occurred and they lost everything. The couple was expecting their second child Thomas Dwayne.

Vernon was working at Amana refrigeration, then he began farming for a while and working road construction before he moved on to hauling milk for Garrison Creamery. Vernon then worked as a farm hand for John DeSmit outside Victor. A third child Kaellen was born. Vernon worked briefly as a truck driver before going to work for the Tubaugh brothers at the Belle Plaine sale barn where he was stock yard foreman. Two more children were born Gerald Lee (Skeeter) and Patricia Jo. Vernon remained at this job for several years before leaving the job to work as a stock yard foreman for Tama Pack until his retirement at 62. During his years at the sale barn and Tama pack, Vernon had multiple side jobs where he put his children, grandchildren, brothers and close friends to work doing whatever odd job he could find. These jobs consisted of painting, roofing, collecting junk steel, mowing, moving people, trimming trees, concrete work and multiple other things too numerous to mention; Vernon loved to help people!

Vernon also ran a popcorn stand on wheels with this family, parking up town every Friday and Saturday night and during other small-town functions. Vernon loved to work. He had an incredible work ethic that he passed to his children and grandchildren. Work was his hobby. At his retirement, his career did not end. He then began mowing for the parks in Belle Plaine, working for Hrabak Funeral Home and driving cars for Thys Motors until COVID hit. Vernon's life slowed down at this point in time. Vernon lived with a bad heart for a number of years. Even though his body was strong, his heart was not. In the last several months breathing had become difficult.

On November 29th 2025, at the Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, Vernon went home with Jesus in the middle of a snow storm. Vernon was a friend to many. He didn't know a stranger. He was dearly loved by many. He loved his family with his whole heart. Especially the grandkids and great-grandkids. Vernon loved the old country music, dancing with Mary, playing Rolle Bolle and attending grandkids and great-grandkids activities when he was able. He will be greatly missed! There were not many like him.

Vernon was a member of the Belle Plaine Fire Department for many years, 50+ year member of the Belle Plaine American Legion and longtime member of the Christ United Methodist Church, Belle Plaine.  

Vernon is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary Ellen. From this union five children were born, James Edward (deceased 2021), Thomas Dwayne of Cedar Rapids, Kaellen (Bill) Palmer of Belle Plaine, Gerald Lee “Skeeter” (Sandy) of Belle Plaine and Patricia Jo (Jerry) Henning of Hartwick. 

Twelve grandchildren, Jayme Blomme (deceased 2016), Brintley (Danny) Elsbury of Toledo, Bailey Rangel of Toledo, Jessica (Tony) Stanley of Cedar Rapids, Jordan Blomme of Cedar Rapids, Nick (Vanessa) Palmer of Newhall, Chris (Steph) Palmer of Newhall, Alex Palmer of South Korea, Ben Blomme of Ogdonsburg, New York, Wyatt Blomme of Belle Plaine, Paige (Kevin) Crow of Des Moines and Ross (Emma) Henning of Pella. Two step-grandchildren, Troy (Melissa) Peska of Belle Plaine and Kayla Newman of North Liberty. 

Twenty great-grandchildren plus one on the way. Maeley, Autumn, Bowen Elsbury of Toledo, Joaquin, Lou Lou Rangel of Toledo, Easton, Everly Stanley of Cedar Rapids, Kendall, Kasen Blomme of Cedar Rapids, Avery, Vince Palmer of Newhall, Ellis, Lennie Palmer of Newhall, Carson Palmer of Keystone, Gabriel, Sarah Palmer of Puerto Rico, Enzo Crow of Des Moines and Charlie Henning of Pella. Step greatgrandchildren, Gabe, Eden, Alayna Peska of Belle Plaine.

Vernon is also survived by sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Blomme, Rosie Collum, Zonya Collum and many nephews and nieces.

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Lester and Gertie Collum. Brothers, Richard (Else) and Virgil Russell Howard; sister, Beverly Maschmann. Brothers-in-law, Russ Maschmann, Bill, Jake (Dorothea) and Don Collum; brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Nancy Eichhorn. 

Funeral service is 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Faith In Christ Church, Belle Plaine with Pastor Nick Palmer officiating. Private family burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine with military honors. 

Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine. Memorials may be directed to the family.