Helen Irene Bloom, 92, passed away Friday, July 9, 2021, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. She was born on her family farm southeast of Overbrook, on June 18, 1929. Her parents were Charles and Ruth Ingle. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Overbrook High School. Following graduation, she attended one semester of Kansas State Teachers College where she earned a teaching certificate. She returned home and taught in a one-room school, Cargie School. It was during this year that she met her husband, Max Bloom. They were married July 17, 1949. To this union, two girls were born.
In their early wedded years, Max worked oil drilling sites and they traveled the Midwest — Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, pulling their mobile home to the closest city where Max worked. They returned to Kansas when Bonnie started school. They lived in Topeka most of their adult life. Helen made a home and raised her two daughters. She was active in helping with Girl Scouts, church activities and school events. When she became an empty nester, she attended Kaw Valley Vo-Tech School and earned her LPN certificate. She worked at Stormont-Vail as a surgical technician and was a member of the first open heart surgical team. She retired in 1993 and she and Max spent time together in Apache Junction, Ariz., as snowbirds. They gave up their primary residence in Topeka and relocated to a retirement community in Hesston, where they were able to spend more time with Roni’s children and enjoy the activities of the community.
Those left to share her memory include her daughters, Bonnie and Bob Totten of Topeka and Roni and John Caffrey of Hesston. Grandchildren include Jessie White and Amanda Walton of Topeka, Dustin and Emily Hamilton of Larkspur, Colo., Darcy and Brett Esau of Beatrice, Neb., Levi Caffrey of Lenexa, Jeremy and Jennifer Totten of Lawrence, and Nicholas Totten and Kyrie Lynch of Lawrence. She cherished eight great-grandchildren and her sister, Viola and Bob Remington of Topeka, multiple nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband, Max, her parents and a sister, Margaret Skaggs.
She was a member of Westside Baptist Church in Topeka and attended Hesston United Methodist Church. She participated in the Menninger Bible Study for many years.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 15, at Overbrook Cemetery in Overbrook. Memorial contributions can be made to Westside Baptist Church or Schowalter Villa, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, P.O. Box 32, Hesston, Kan., 67062.
