Joseph E. Blum's Obituary
Joseph E. Blum, age 73, died on April 16, 2014 in Memphis, Tenn. Born Nov. 4, 1940, in Madison, Wis. to Carl and Doris (Cook) Blum, Joe grew up in Madison and graduated from St Bernard’s school and Edgewood High School. A member of the U.S. Air National Guard and graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, Joe was a teacher and coach at Winnequah Middle School and Monona High School respectively. During his 30 year teaching and coaching career, Coach Blum influenced many students and created lasting friendships. In addition to teaching, Joe was a successful real estate entrepreneur in Wisconsin and in North Carolina. During his 19 year marriage to Aleesa Blum, Joe, Aleesa and their six children and eight grandchildren shared countless travels, celebrations and treasured memories.Joe is survived by his wife, Aleesa; three sons, Greg (Di) Blum of Madison, WI; Pete (Michelle) Blum of Tomah, WI; and Jim (Nikki) Bell of Philadelphia, PA; three daughters, Melissa Reynolds-Grove of Hong Kong; Leslie Blum of Madison, WI; and Meeghan Bell of Memphis, TN; eight grandchildren, Grethe, Noah, Maddie, Keller, Maria, Merrick, Faustina and Oliver; brother Tom (Diane) Blum; and sisters Lois (Dale) Pollock and Mary Jean (Tom) Schwarz; mother-in-law Alice Cook. He is further survived by his ex-wife Ruth Ann and nieces and nephews in Minnesota, Wisconsin and California. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Oliver Cook and two nephews (Jimmy and Chris Blum).In his final year, Joe faced significant health challenges but taught us lessons about courage and the power of perspective. The family invites friends to share in a memorial service to celebrate a life well lived. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. and funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 19 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: UW-Madison Foundation 1848 University Avenue Madison, WI 53726 Attention: Joe Blum Memorial FundFuneral Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119, 901-767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”
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