Audrey Anne Blobaum

Audrey Anne Blobaum, 87, of Wellington, FL, formerly of Byron, IL, passed away on July 24,2021.
She was born to parents Ralph Thompson and Elsie Marie Thompson, on August 20, 1933, in Compton, IL.

She graduated from Paw Paw High School, Paw Paw, IL in 1951. She went on to study Home Economics and Education at Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965 and a Master of Science degree in 1970.

Audrey met Dana Charles Blobaum in 1974. They were married on June 8, 1975, in Davis Junction, IL. Together they came into the marriage with 9 children and added one more in 1976.

Audrey worked as an Educator for 29 years. She began her career as a 5th grade teacher in Sandwich, Illinois. She was then given her dream job teaching Home Economics at Byron High School for the remaining 28 years. She retired in 1994 and remained involved in education as a substitute teacher in both Illinois and Florida where she spent her winters. After moving to Florida full time, she would substitute 3 days a week.  However, in 2013 she stopped substituting, stating she was “too busy” for a job.  

Audrey had many passions and hobbies.  When you ask her family and friends to list them, they would include sewing, reading, traveling, quilting, teaching anything and everything, supporter of the arts, wine connoisseur, baby snuggler, prayer partner, loving friend, #1 supporter, gracious hostess, tireless servant of her Lord and Savior and Adult Literacy Mentor.

She proudly served her community as: Church Council Member (All Saint Lutheran Church in Byron, IL and Lutheran Church of the Holy Cross, West Palm Beach, FL), Head Deacon, Mission Servant to Haiti and Costa Rica (Florida Bahama Synod), Charter member of All Saint's Lutheran Church, Byron, IL; officer and leader locally and at the State level for Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (Illinois and Florida), coordinator of Wellington Seniors Quilting Group. She was also a cooperating teacher for students from Northern Illinois University, in their Home Ec. Education program.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dana Blobaum, parents Ralph and Elsie Thompson, in-laws Arthur and Blanche Blobaum, brother Donald Thompson, sister Barbara Weekly, and great grandson Shannon Davis.

She is survived by her children. They are sons Steven Oleson (Joanie), Howard Oleson, Barry Oleson (Cindy), Christopher Oleson (Kelly), daughters Anne Holzapfel (Ralph), and Allison Roberts (William Armstrong), stepdaughters Janell Tempel (Richard), Debbie Barron (Jack), Diana Skillman (John), and Crystal Stivers and sons of a different mothers David Clarke and Brian Ross. She also is survived by 24 grandchildren: Melissa, Stephanie, Lanee, Justine, Lauren, Barry II, Jerry, Brandy, Laura, James, Khrysta, Kayleigh, Karl, Kurtis, Kevin, Katherine, Gwendolyn, Maddox, Dustin, Tobias, Daniel, Jennifer, Morgan and Alexis and their families.

The family has entrusted Tillman Funeral Home and Crematory, West Palm Beach, FL (tillmanfuneralhome.com) with the arrangements.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00-7: 00 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2021, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral at All Saints Lutheran Church, 624 Luther Drive, Byron, IL. The Funeral will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday September 25, 2021. Interment will be at Byron Cemetery.  A reception will follow at Jarrett Center at Byron Forest Preserve.  Pr. Janet Wold will officiate the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family. Those donations will be shared between those things Audrey treasured most: church, education, and the community service organizations she was involved in.