Donald E. Bloom, 79, of Grand Meadow, Minnesota, died Friday afternoon, March 24, 2017, at Samaritan Bethany Home in Rochester, Minnesota.

Donald Eugene Bloom was born Jan. 8, 1938, in Eyota, Minnesota, the son of Joseph Dodds and Rose Marie (Buchan) Bloom. He attended school in Rose Creek, Minnesota, graduating from Rose Creek High School in 1955. After graduation, Donald served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959. He attended the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was a certified radiologic technologist working at the hospital in Exeter, California, for many years. Donald participated in rodeo competitions throughout the world in the team roping events and saddle bronc riding. He was awarded the All-Around Cowboy title in 1990 at the Tri County Rodeo in California. He was a member of the American Legion Post 91 of Austin, Minnesota, the Elks Club in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and the VFW and the Eagles. In 1992, Donald returned to Minnesota and in 1995 began farming the Jech farm and later helped establish the Jech Farm Vineyard. In 1997, he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Grand Meadow Lutheran Church. On Dec. 9, 2000, he was united in marriage to Jean (Gomer) Jech in Las Vegas. The couple made their home in Grand Meadow.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Jech Bloom of Grand Meadow; two sisters, Joan Hegge and Patty (Marvin) Miner, all of Rose Creek; one brother, Darrel (Karen) Bloom of Austin; step-children, Renae (Phil) Goldman of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Cindy (Paul) Hamlin of LeRoy, Minnesota, Darla (Rick) Enright of Kasson, Minnesota, Stacy (Diane) Jech of Grand Meadow, and Tami (John) Kiecker of Bloomer, Wisconsin; step-grandchildren, Natalie and Joseph Goldman, Isaac (Miranda), Jacob and Samantha Hamlin, Kellen, Ryan and Kaden Enright, Dylan and Max Jech and Dayne and Cicely Kiecker; step-great-grandchildren, Everett and Adeline Hamlin; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Charlotte Wood; and a brother, Jim Bloom.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at the Grand Meadow Lutheran Church in Grand Meadow, with Pastor Beth Krolak officiating.  Interment with military honors by American Legion Post 91 will follow the service at Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Memorials may be sent to the recipient of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.