BYRON – Thelma J. Blum, 91, longtime resident of rural Byron and formerly of Sterling, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon.

She was born Feb. 10, 1922, in Tampico, the daughter of George and Darlene (Anderberg) Forward. She married Vivian Henry Rosenow in 1942. He died in 1952. Thelma and William E. Blum were married June 23, 1956, in Dixon. He died in 2012. She was an active member of the United Church of Byron, where she was involved with the women's circles. Thelma enjoyed cooking, and formerly cooked at Neighbors Nursing Home in Byron.

Survivors include her children, Brenda (Joe) Breit of Bellevue, Wash., Jim (Jane) Rosenow of Rock Falls, Gary (Kathy) Rosenow of League City, Texas, and Cindy (Mike) Lester of Racine, Wis.; stepdaughter, Carol Ranken of Sterling; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Robert (Dorothy) Forward of Missouri.

She also was preceded in death four sisters, Edna, Frances, Mabel, and Helen; and a brother, George Jr.

Private interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling. A memorial service will be at a later date at the United Church of Byron. Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home in Byron is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon.

Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to send condolences.