Theodora Louise Bloomfield, age 91, of Wadena
Theodora Louise Bloomfield, 91, died Tuesday, September 2, 2003, at her home at Fair Oaks Lodge, in Wadena, MN.
Born August 2, 1912 in Ontario, IL, Theodora was the daughter of Carl and Albertina Nelson Krantz, in a family with four sisters and three brothers. One sister and a sister-in-law in Illinois survive her.
After high school she took nurses training in Chicago and after working for a short time there returned to Ontario, IL where she was united in marriage to Ralph Bloomfield on May 13, 1939.
Ralph and Theodora farmed near Ontario and their children, Ellis, Nancy Bottemiller (Don), Roger (Mary) and Ralph, Jr. (Susan) were born there. Nancy died October 14, 2000 in Wadena.
The family moved to Isanti, Minnesota in 1953. After semi-retiring, Ralph and Theodora spent several years at Welch, MN and then Hector, where Ralph died December 28, 1985.
Theodora then moved to Humphrey Manor in Wadena and resided there until moving to Fair Oaks Lodge following a complicated leg break.
She was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and the night before she died was hinting about moving back to the Manor where she would be able to hear the new bell and chimes. This characterized her optimistic attitude. Even in the middle of some of her most difficult times she would talk at length about them and then comment, "but I know I'll be better tomorrow."
And she did get better in the last week and then died while at Bible study at Fair Oaks, doing what she liked best.
Her funeral service was at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena, Saturday, September 6, 2003 with Pastors Marilyn Breckenridge and Jon Larson officiating. Mark Bottemiller was soloist and grandchildren served as pallbearers. She was buried at Hector, MN.
Theodora was a people person, touching many with her poetry and genuine interest in their lives in both happy and sad times. She wrote poetry from the time she was a kid and most people who knew her were the recipient of a poem for some occasion, including her nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren who were a constant joy in her life.
Theodora proudly displayed a
plaque naming her a member of the American Society of Poets and was honored to be asked to stand with a young poet friend when she was inducted into the National Honor Society at the high school
She also never turned down a Scrabble challenge and REALLY enjoyed winning.
In her own words:

I do not ask eternal Lord
To see beyond today
I only ask for Grace and Peace
To lead me on life's way.

I thank Thee for Thy presence Lord
For thy abiding Love
For strength and joy Thou givest
Sent down from Heaven above.

Take Thou my hand and lead me
Teach me Lord Thy will to do
I dare not try to walk alone
I'll walk life's way with you.

Peace.