Marilyn A. Blum

Marilyn A. Blum, 59, of Westfield, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2008, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 31, 2008 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Akron, Iowa, with Monsignor Richard Zenk and the Rev. Patrick Walsh, along with other priests, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. conducted by the Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools Community, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City. Visitation will resume 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the church in Akron. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Marilyn was born Oct. 13, 1948, in Sioux City, the daughter of Clay "Mearl" and Mary Alice "Mae" (Bauerly) Peckenpaugh. She attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and graduated from Heelan High School in 1966. She graduated from Briar Cliff College in 1970. She received a master's of art degree in elementary and secondary administration from Clarke College in 1999.

She married Timothy J. Blum on July 10, 1971 in Sioux City.

She began her career in Sioux City Public Schools. She then operated the Nativity Preschool. She began teaching at St. Michael's Grade School in Sioux City in 1986. In 2001, she became the principal of both St. Michael's and Sacred Heart Elementary Schools before becoming the principal of Sacred Heart in 2002. In 2004, she became the principal at Mater Dei School. In 2006, she became the first woman principal of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School. She also was the first alumnus of Heelan High to become principal.

She was a member of the National Catholic Education Association and the Akron Lions Club. She was a past president of the Iowa State Police Association Auxiliary and was a member of the Sioux City Police Association Auxiliary. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Akron and sang in the choir. She also was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.

She enjoyed her children and grandchildren and was a significant part of their lives. She was a 4-H leader. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening and crocheting. She was an artist and enjoyed painting. She especially enjoyed her relationship with the card club consisting of St. Michael's parishioners.

Survivors include her husband, Timothy of Westfield, Iowa; two daughters and their husbands, Jennifer and Alan Wade of Fort Collins, Colo., and Rebecca and Brian Walsh of Pierre, S.D.; a son, Wayne Blum of Sioux City; five grandchildren, Timothy, Jack and Maegan Walsh and Grace and Joseph Wade; a sister, Mary Kneifl of Newcastle, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Pallbearers will be Brian Walsh, Alan Wade, Timothy Walsh, Jack Walsh, Donald Kneifl, Daniel Kneifl, Ed Schoenfelder and Michael Walsh. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Wade, Maegan Walsh and Grace Wade.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established to benefit Bishop Heelan Catholic High School.