Mary L. Campbell Bloom

Mary Louise Campbell Bloom Mary Louise Campbell Bloom of Laurel, Iowa passed away May 10, 2007 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa of breast cancer. Mary was born on October 20, 1927 to Harvey J. and Marjorie Bloom of Laurel, Iowa. She lived in the Laurel Community all of her life and graduated from Laurel High School in 1945. Mary is survived by one daughter, Mary Ann Campbell Humes and her husband Michael of Bettendorf, Iowa, two grandsons, Christopher J. Bailey of Avondale, Arizona and Shawn W. Bailey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a sister Beverly A. Bloom Benson of Chatsworth, California and a brother, John H. Bloom of Laurel, Iowa. She was preceded in death by both of her parents. On June 23, 1945 she married William L. Campbell. Together they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from her family, the Blooms, and made their home on a farm south of Laurel. They cleared their hilly land of trees and rocks, thus making the hills fruitful crop land and pastures. The farm land would not only bear crops of corn, beans and hay, but also the hills would become home to turkeys and a herd of cattle. During the turkey raising days, they would survive the terrible destruction of a summer tornado, ripping across the farm leaving great loss and damage. Each year for over ten years the two of them raised over five thousand brown turkeys. Marys caring and nurturing way nursed the baby turkeys each spring until they were big enough to go to range on the hills. Those nine hills also served as home to seven hundred head of cattle. Again, Mary cared for sick or orphaned calves giving them a chance to live. It was in 1970 they named the farm Nine Hills Ranch. Mary planted flower beds throughout the yards showcasing her love for flowers, plants and trees. In 1968 she planted numerous fruit trees in her yards with her two young grandsons sharing her knowledge and love of nature. She nurtured her flowers, gardens and trees each season. She was a member of the Laurel Garden Club where she won numerous blue ribbons for her flower specimens at their annual garden show. She also won blue ribbons at The Marshall County Fair and The Iowa State Fair. Later, all of her ribbons earned her the distinction of being appointed a judge at The Iowa State Fair. Mary loved nature and all of Gods creations. She always had bird feeders available for all of the birds in her yard. She always had a story to tell about some bird, animal or any other of Gods little critters. She enjoyed watching the deer, Indigo Bunting family, pheasants, bunnies, toads and all outdoor creatures. She was always willing to take the time necessary to nurture an injured bird or animal back to good health. Mary not only showed her appreciation outdoors but also was talented at cooking indoors. She earned blue ribbons at The Iowa State Fair for her pecan and apple pies. In 1963, they would build a beautiful ranch home where Mary finished all of the woodwork and she planted new flower gardens around her new home. Mary was active in the 70s at the Fisher Community Center in Marshalltown where she taught pottery classes to children. She sold many of her hand thrown clay pieces to numerous customers from afar. Her art pieces reflected an aged, warm, earthlike rustic tone an extension of her personality. The mid-eighties would bring challenge, change and sadness, thus testing her strength, courage, faith and endurance. Mary often antiqued with her mother, Marjorie Bloom and in 1987 she opened Marys Antiques in Laurel. Her inspiration came from her interest and love of family history and heirlooms. Marys artistic flair was also apparent in all of the pieces of furniture she refurbished and displayed in her shop. The mid-nineties would reflect warm family memories as her daughter and grandsons experienced new travels, opportunities and destinations fulfilling many of her hopes and dreams. In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial in memory of her love of nature named Laurels Living Garden. Please address memorials to: Mitchell Funeral Home 1209 Iowa Avenue Marshalltown, IA 50158 Mary was a private person and requested that there be only a private service and interment. Her daughter requests that friends and family pay their personal respects by offering a silent prayer in honor of her life. She passed looking beautiful and finally free from her pain. Condolences may be made to: Mary A. Humes 6458 Crow Valley Drive Bettendorf, IA 52722 or online at: mahumes@aol.com