HOLDEN, ME - Marlan James Bloom, 78, passed away peacefully April 2, 2024, with his family by his side. He was born October 3, 1945, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Williston, North Dakota (ND), the son of John and Susan (Simpson) Bloom.
Marlan grew up in the family home at 714 4th Avenue East. Schooling was in Williston at Central Grade School and Williston Jr. and Sr. High Schools (1963). He played football and wrestled, but enjoyed hockey the most. During the years growing up, Marlan spent summers at the Bloom farm, where he learned to farm, along with his two uncles. Senior high school summers he worked for his father (John Bloom) at the Farmer’s Union Central Exchange. He made many life-long friends from his time in North Dakota.
Marlan left home to attend the State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, where he graduated with a trade in Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning (1964-66). He worked sheet metal in both ND and Iowa.
Due to the Viet Nam War, Marlan enlisted for three years in the United States Army (1966-69). After receiving training in Cryptographic Repair, he was stationed at Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium. Marlan married Karen Skogen (1966), his high school sweetheart, and together they then had a son, Kelly Bloom. The two of them joined Marlan in Belgium. Together the three of them traveled throughout Europe. Their highlight of the time in Belgium was connecting with Karen’s father’s (Conrad Skogen) family in Norway, where Conrad was born. Marlan was honorably discharged in 1969.
After Marlan’s military service, he farmed near Ray, ND. During the farm years, they had two additional children, Cory Bloom and Erika (Bloom) Payson. He was very fond of having animals on the small grain farm and was most fond of the Arabian horse, Luke. During the lean years of farming he started working for Schlumberger Wireline Services, where he worked for nearly 30 years. He worked in North Dakota, Canada, Texas (off-shore), California, Wyoming and lastly Utah, where he retired. After retirement he and Karen bought a property in Holden, Maine, near Brewer Lake, where he cleared the land and built the family home. He often said son-in-law Justin Payson was the contractor, son Cory Bloom the builder and he was the clean up guy!
During 2023-24, Marlan suffered many health issues. One of those health issues was kidney failure. Son Cory, was trained to perform dialysis, so was able to treat Marlan at home. This was such a blessing to Marlan and family as the two of them had many hours together. Even throughout his illness he never lost his wonderful sense of humor!
Marlan leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Karen; son, Kelly, along with two grandsons, Jesse (Hailey) and Tanner; their mother, Roxanne, and a great grandson, Crue; son, Cory (Alyssa), along with three grandsons, Chad, Cole, and Thomas and two granddaughters, Ruby and Karlee and great grandson, Maddox; daughter, Erika (Justin) Payson, along with grandson, Grady Marlan and granddaughter, Kyla; sister, Marian (Bloom) Erickson-Oelhafen (WI) and dog, Boother. He also leaves behind many cherished friends and some who became like family.
In addition to his parents, Marlan was predeceased by his brother, Vernon Bloom, of Gold Canyon, AZ; and sister, Vivian (Bloom) Bartlett, of Williston, ND.
A Celebration of Marlan’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, Maine. The family invites all to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor, immediately following the service. Those who wish to attend the service remotely may do so by visiting https://my.gather.app/remember/marlan-bloom Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marlan Bloom, please visit our flower store.
Marlan grew up in the family home at 714 4th Avenue East. Schooling was in Williston at Central Grade School and Williston Jr. and Sr. High Schools (1963). He played football and wrestled, but enjoyed hockey the most. During the years growing up, Marlan spent summers at the Bloom farm, where he learned to farm, along with his two uncles. Senior high school summers he worked for his father (John Bloom) at the Farmer’s Union Central Exchange. He made many life-long friends from his time in North Dakota.
Marlan left home to attend the State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, where he graduated with a trade in Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning (1964-66). He worked sheet metal in both ND and Iowa.
Due to the Viet Nam War, Marlan enlisted for three years in the United States Army (1966-69). After receiving training in Cryptographic Repair, he was stationed at Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium. Marlan married Karen Skogen (1966), his high school sweetheart, and together they then had a son, Kelly Bloom. The two of them joined Marlan in Belgium. Together the three of them traveled throughout Europe. Their highlight of the time in Belgium was connecting with Karen’s father’s (Conrad Skogen) family in Norway, where Conrad was born. Marlan was honorably discharged in 1969.
After Marlan’s military service, he farmed near Ray, ND. During the farm years, they had two additional children, Cory Bloom and Erika (Bloom) Payson. He was very fond of having animals on the small grain farm and was most fond of the Arabian horse, Luke. During the lean years of farming he started working for Schlumberger Wireline Services, where he worked for nearly 30 years. He worked in North Dakota, Canada, Texas (off-shore), California, Wyoming and lastly Utah, where he retired. After retirement he and Karen bought a property in Holden, Maine, near Brewer Lake, where he cleared the land and built the family home. He often said son-in-law Justin Payson was the contractor, son Cory Bloom the builder and he was the clean up guy!
During 2023-24, Marlan suffered many health issues. One of those health issues was kidney failure. Son Cory, was trained to perform dialysis, so was able to treat Marlan at home. This was such a blessing to Marlan and family as the two of them had many hours together. Even throughout his illness he never lost his wonderful sense of humor!
Marlan leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Karen; son, Kelly, along with two grandsons, Jesse (Hailey) and Tanner; their mother, Roxanne, and a great grandson, Crue; son, Cory (Alyssa), along with three grandsons, Chad, Cole, and Thomas and two granddaughters, Ruby and Karlee and great grandson, Maddox; daughter, Erika (Justin) Payson, along with grandson, Grady Marlan and granddaughter, Kyla; sister, Marian (Bloom) Erickson-Oelhafen (WI) and dog, Boother. He also leaves behind many cherished friends and some who became like family.
In addition to his parents, Marlan was predeceased by his brother, Vernon Bloom, of Gold Canyon, AZ; and sister, Vivian (Bloom) Bartlett, of Williston, ND.
A Celebration of Marlan’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, Maine. The family invites all to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor, immediately following the service. Those who wish to attend the service remotely may do so by visiting https://my.gather.app/remember/marlan-bloom Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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