Mary Frances Blew, 96, passed away on November 10, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society – Ottumwa. She was born on May 29, 1930, at her grandparent’s home in Weatherby, Missouri, to the late Virgil Pierce Robertson and Mary Helen Elmore Robertson. In 1943, her family moved to Udell, Iowa where she started her first year of high school. Upon graduating from Udell High School in 1948, she attended Parson College in Fairfield and obtained a second-grade county certificate, a certificate which made her eligible to teach for the East Star School Board. In 1948, at the age of 18, she began her teaching career in a small rural school in Davis County. It was during this time that she met Darrell Blew, a WWII veteran who was the uncle of two of her students. After a year of courtship, Mary and Darrell married on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949.
Her career as a teacher ended in 1961. She stayed home with her five children for several years while also becoming a full-time caretaker for a close neighbor. In 1968, she began working for SIEDA, a non-profit organization dedicated to child development and offering supportive programs fitting the unique needs of those living in poverty. She was selected to teach the Head Start classes in her county. She shifted careers in April of 1971 and began working as a social worker for the Department of Human Services until her retirement on May 15, 1995. On July 11, 1990, her husband of 41 years, passed away leading her to sell the family farm and move to Ottumwa Iowa. During her time in Ottumwa, she worked as a substitute teacher at Ottumwa School Systems for a few years and then began working for Indian Hills for 13 years as an Adult Basic Education teacher.
With nearly a century of life lived, Mary saw the world change and develop in unimaginable ways. Through many moments of joy and hardship, she developed a strong work ethic, adapted quickly to any environment—whether it be working on the farm, in the home or in a school setting, and had a profound love and appreciation for her family. Her legacy lives on through those she leaves behind.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Blew; companion, Robert Barker; Son, Virgil Earnest Blew; brother, James Pierce Robertson; sisters, Patricia Ann Robertson Mincks, Laura Mae Robertson Mathews.
Survivors include her children, James Steven Blew (Renetta), Donnie Joe Blew (Vickie), LaDonna Marie Blew Burns (Michael), Julie Ann Blew Goode (Roger); 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Judy Blew; brother-in-law, Raymond Mathews; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Al Perez officiating. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday with the family present to greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Good Samaritan Society Hospice in Ottumwa.
