Neil Devon “Bushel” Bloomquist

Neil Bloomquist

RANDOLPH — Funeral service for Neil “Bushel” Devon Bloomquist, 89, Randolph will be 10:30 a.m., Feb. 8, at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph. Officiating the service will be Celebrant Father David Korth. Concelebrants will be Father Kevin Vogel and Deacon Doug Tunink. The service will also be livestreamed on the Stonacek Funeral Chapel Facebook page. Visitation, with a prayer service and rosary, was Feb. 7 also at the catholic church in Randolph. Interment will be at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Cemetery, rural Randolph. Military Rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post #326, V.F.W. Post 7838, and the Sons Of The American Legion all of Osmond and the Nebraska Legion Riders.

Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Osmond is in charge of the arrangements.

Neil died Feb. 4, 2023, at his home in Randolph, surrounded by his family.

Neil was born Aug. 24, 1933, to Martin and Florilla (Ludden) Bloomquist in rural Wausa. At the age of 4, his family moved to the farm north of McLean, where Neil lived for nearly 80 years. He attended country school and graduated from McLean High in 1951. In 1953, he traveled to California harvesting cotton in the San Joaquin Valley. In December 1953, his friend, Ray Veik, was drafted, so Neil decided to enlist with him, along with 14 other men from Pierce County. In the U.S. Army, he was stationed at various locations in the U.S. before going overseas to Germany during the Korean War. He returned home and was honorably discharged in December 1955.

With jobs being scarce when returning home, he relocated to California to work at the Post Office at March Field, Riverside, Calif. Neil returned home in 1957 to attend several friends’ weddings. Neil married Sally Reineke Oct. 1, 1960. They were blessed with seven children. These children include Barb and Jeff Rohde, Randolph; Greg Bloomquist (Michele Williams), Vacaville, Calif.; Sherri and Brad Bargstadt, Randolph; Jeff and Tracy Bloomquist, Bloomfield, Conn.; Charles and Marci Bloomquist, Lake Stevens, Wash.; Daniel and Trish Bloomquist, Bellevue; and Angela and Tige Jones, Adel, Iowa; blessing them with 17 grandchildren. After 52 years of marriage, Sally died Dec. 3, 2012. On October 7, 2015, Neil married Margaret Korth. This created an even larger family of children grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They resided at their home in Randolph. During his wedding blessing for a granddaughter in 2017, he not so subtly mentioned that he would really like some great-grandchildren. Never one to not listen to their grandpa, he now has 11 great-grandchildren.

Neil spent time working for Backus Trucking, Bruckner Trucking, and Olberding Grain Elevator. He later went to work for his brother, Arvid, at Schomberg Feed and Grain, McLean, and retired from Dawson Transport after working there from 1976-2001. Never one to slow down, he then spent 10 years working for Farmers Pride, and seasonal work for Randolph Farm Supply, and Aschoff Construction.

Boscoe, his Australian Shepherd, was his faithful companion for 21 years along with his favorite horse, Buddy. He enjoyed socializing over a cup of coffee in the surrounding communities and belonged to a card club for 52 years.

He was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantel Catholic Church where he was active in the Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus. He was a Charter Life member with 66 years of dedicated service to the American Legion where he served as commander twice. He also served on the Pierce County Planning Commission.

Neil was preceded in death by his father and mother, and brothers and sisters-in-law, Arvid and Vaun, Maurice(in infancy), Duane and Anita, and Eldred and Armella Bloomquist; and brother-in-law, Rod Wilbeck.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and her family, Russ (Koni Dawes) Denton; Karen (Greg Kappel), Crofton; Mike and Deb Korth, Randolph; Susie and Troy Krupicka, Omaha; Mark and Karla Korth, Randolph; and Fr. Dave Korth, Omaha; and his sister, Janiece Wilbeck; and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers are grandsons, Nicholas and Christopher Rohde, Joshua Zamora, Christian, Joshua, and Austin Bloomquist, Elijah Jones and Evan Friedrich.

Honorary casket bearers are granddaughters, Abigail Friedrich, Meghan Rohde, Ashley, Kaitlyn, Alyssa, and Lauren Bloomquist, Brianne Gubbels, Olivia Bargstadt, Amanda Raisch and Shannan Jones.