Edith “Rose” Blok

Edith “Rose” Blok

Marion

Edith “Rose” Blok, 97, a longtime resident of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully the morning of Nov. 4, 2023, at Summit Pointe Senior Living Center.

Rose was born the middle of three daughters to Frank and Bertha (Fleenor) Reed on Jan. 1, 1926, in Clarinda, Iowa. Rose graduated from Clarinda High School and went on to attend the University of Iowa and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She married Richard “Dick” Blok on March 25th, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Clarinda.

Rose was a lifelong gardener of both flowers and vegetables (a skill she got from her mother). She and Dick would spend many a summer afternoon canning tomatoes, pickles, beets, beans, pears, and peaches. Rose and Dick also loved going to Florida to fish and escape the cold winters. They would always bring enough fish back to have a summer fish fry with family and friends. It was also a great way for the both of them to get their tomato cravings temporarily satisfied until summer, although Rose never thought the Florida tomatoes could hold a candle to the ones they grew in Iowa.

Dick and Rose were also avid Iowa Hawkeye fans. They were season ticket holders for both football and basketball for many seasons and loved tailgating. When age stopped them from attending in person, they still followed them on TV and never missed a game.

Rose was a 50-year member and Past Matron of Marion Chapter No. 183 Order of the Eastern Star, and also a member of the Marion Christian Church.

Later in life, Rose even tried her hand at being an author and wrote a fictional book on World War II.

Above all else, Rose lovingly cared for her family and grandchildren throughout the years.

Rose was wonderfully devoted to her two sons, Richard “JR” (Kathy) Blok of Marion; and Don (Shelley) Blok, of Ankeny. She was a beloved “Granny” to her four grandchildren, Jodi (George) Pfeiffer, Amanda (Tony) Fossum, Hayley, and Kevin; as well as four great-grandchildren Ellie, Julia Rose, Luke, and Benny.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sisters, Myrtle, and Carolyn.

Visitation for Rose will be Friday, Nov. 10, from 10 to 11 a.m. with services to follow at 11 a.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion. Burial will be held at Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and a memorial fund has been established.

Please share a memory of Rose at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.