Kilgard Blow

Moline, Illinois
Merle M. Blow, 91, former longtime resident of Moline, Illinois and Naples, Florida, died Sunday morning, January 22, 2012, at the Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan, Kansas. She had been a Manhattan resident since February of 2011.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2012, at the University Christian Church, Manhattan, Kansas. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. until service time. Private interment will be at a later date in Moline Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, First Congregational Church, or a favorite charity. Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, is in charge of arrangements.
The former Merle Madeline Farrier was born October 21, 1920, in Hillman, Michigan, the daughter of David and Lillian (McMillan) Farrier. The family moved to Flint, Michigan, in 1927, where Merle grew up and was schooled. She met Ernest Richard Blow, a young Canadian, at General Motors Institute of Technology (now Kettering University) in Flint. Merle held a secretarial position with DuPont Company 1939-1941. The couple was united in marriage on November 15, 1941, in Flint Michigan, after which time she and Dick moved to St. Catharines, Ontario. During the 20 years in Canada four daughters were added, and the family lived in several small towns within the Niagara Penninsula. In 1961 Dick was transferred from John Deere Welland Works to Deere and Company, and the family was moved to Moline, Illinois.
Merle was quite active as a volunteer and in various activities in Moline. She was an instructor of First Aid classes for the Red Cross for 10 years, also helping on first aid stations at county and state fairs, golf tournaments and Indian celebrations. She was also a Girl Scout Leader, president of the YWCA and served on the board for 6 years, president and member of Stella D. Ainsworth King?s Daughters Circle, member of the First Congregational Church where she served on the Service Guild. Merle was also a member of the Short Hills Country Club in East Moline and the Country Club of Naples, Florida.
For many years after Dick?s retirement, they divided their time between Moline and Naples, Florida. She enjoyed golfing, traveling, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. Merle was also quite active in her church membership with the First Congregational Church of Naples.
She was preceded in death by her husband on January 26, 2011.
Merle is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Kenneth Klabunde of Manhattan, Kansas, Susan and William Daly of Friendswood, Texas, Nancy and Gale Klett of Oneida, Wisconsin, and Debra and Michael Jurgensen of Naperville, Illinois. Also surviving are her ten grandchildren and spouses, Sara and Daryl Huter, David Klabunde, John Klabunde, Richard and Shelly Daly, Cara and David McGarry, Stephanie and Matthew Barnes, Bryan and Cristy Klett, Laura and Michael Dunlap, Lindsay Jurgensen, and Thomas Jurgensen; and eight great-grandchildren, Erik and Tyler Huter, Caitlynn and Adyson McGarry, Payton Daly, Mitchell and Dominic Dunlap, and Lauren Barnes.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.