Maurice 'Morrie' Blum, 93, of Merrill, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at his home in Merrill.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church – Ellendale, rural Merrill, Iowa.  Father Doug Klein will celebrate Mass.  Burial with military honors provided by the Oleson-Halwig American Legion Post 125 of Merrill will be at Hillside Cemetery in Merrill.  Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  There will be a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.  Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Maurice Raymond Blum, the son of Francis and Frances (Ludwig) Blum, was born on January 26, 1932, in Akron, Iowa.  He attended school in Merrill and graduated from Merrill High School.  He was drafted into the United States Army on February 12, 1953.  He served his country during the end of the Korean Conflict.  He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  He was honorably discharged on January 13, 1955.

He was united in marriage to Bonnie Vanderloo on May 2, 1953, in Lawton, Oklahoma, while he was in basic training.

After returning from the service, the couple made their home in Merrill.  He worked in Sioux City at several food service places in sales.    He also worked for Booth-Fisher for many years. He then delivered food for the Sioux City Community Schools until his retirement in 1992.  After retirement, Morrie worked as an election official for Plymouth County for several years.  Bonnie passed away on August 8, 2020.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church – Ellendale, rural Merrill, Iowa.  He was also an active member of the Oleson-Halwig American Legion Post 125 and the Merrill Lion's Club.  Over the years, he enjoyed traveling, golfing, watching and attending many sporting events, walking, playing cards, golfing, and gardening. He and Bonnie enjoyed wintering in Yuma, Arizona for many years.  Morrie was honored to visit Washington, D.C. in September of 2019 through the Midwest Honor Flight program for veterans.

Survivors include his siblings: Audrey Kennedy of Sioux City, IA, and Jeanette Wankum-Spies of Merrill, IA; his in laws: Curt (Marlene) Vanderloo of Merrill, IA, Glenda Donlin of Merrill, IA, Norma Vanderloo of Waterloo, IA, Carol Vanderloo of Merrill, IA, Wendel Blankenburg of Norwalk, IA, and Pat Vanderloo of Sioux City, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie Blum; his brother, Marvin Blum; and his in laws: Virgil Vanderloo, Don Donlin, Dick Spies, Jerry Kennedy, Keith Vanderloo, Rich Vanderloo, Janice Blankenburg, and Stanley (Geraldine) Vanderloo.