Loretta Blume

Loretta Blume 87, Marathon, died Sunday June 1, 2003 at Marywood Convalescent Center, Wausau, under the care of Comfort Care and Hospice Services. She was born October 20, 1915, in Marathon, daughter of the late Philip and Amelia (Schlagenhaft) Ritger. On August 29, 1939, she married Arnold J. Blume in Marathon. He preceded her in death on August 29, 1981. Loretta was a homemaker most of her life and prior to her marriage worked at St. Mary Hospital, Wausau. With her husband she operated a dairy farm in Marathon, produced maple syurp, and raised ginseng. She was a devoted member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon; a member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women, The Secular Franciscans and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Loretta enjoyed her garden and playing cards. She was a devoted mother and dearly loved her grand and great grandchildren. Survivors include her daughters, Carol (Richard) Massop, Colby, Joan (Robert) Plant, Roseanne (Edward) Buchberger, Mary Kay McCallum, and Marilyn (Michael) Hall; sons, James, John (Claire), Lawrence (Betty), Jerome (Christine), and Robert (Kelley) Blume, all of Marathon. She is further survived by her sisters, Sister Rose Ann Ritger, Milwaukee, Arleen Masanz, Beloit, Dolores (Victor) Schueller, Edgar, a brother Philip (Leona) Ritger, Wausau; 33 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters Marie Knauf, Evelyn Straub, and Sister Marcelline Ritger; brothers Alvin, Gerald, and Adolph Ritger; and sons-in-law, Denny McCallum and James Weber. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. The Rev. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Marathon. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 7:30 p.m. tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic School, Marathon.