Bernadette Blum

Bernadette Georgette Gourdin Blum passed peacefully into the Lord's hands December 30, 2016. She was born January 5, 1925 to Maria and Leon Gourdin in Sedon, France. She was raised in a large family of Catholic faith and was the second oldest of seven children. When her mother died during the birth of the last child, she and her sister Christian took on the role of raising their other siblings along with their stepmother. They were fortunate enough to stay one step ahead of the Germans and the bombings during World War II and were overjoyed to see the Americans come to town.
In 1946, she met the love of her life, Ervin L. Blum, during the latter part of the war while he was stationed in Reims. While working at the picture show, she met him when he came in to see the movie "Gone with the Wind". She then lost track of him, and later happened to see him again while he was escorting German prisoners by truck on the streets of Reims. They then planned another date, and after a few more dates, they were married in a protestant church and then to make it official, they were married again by the Army Chaplain.
Bernadette made the journey from Germany to America by boat with many other war brides. After three months at sea, she finally arrived at Ellis Island in New York where she was then accompanied by the Red Cross and traveled by train to Texas to meet Ervin and they settled in Burkburnett, his hometown. She was pleasantly surprised to find that there weren't actually cowboys and Indians at every turn as she had seen in the movies in France.
Bernadette came to Monahans with Ervin in 1952 after teaching conversational French at Midwestern College in Wichita Falls in the late 40's. She worked in the Monahans High school cafeteria from 1966 to 1970 when she and Ervin were transferred to Sterling City and then Junction in 1973. In 1992, the Blums moved back to Monahans to settle where all their old friends and family lived.
Bernadette enjoyed having coffee and visiting with her friends and had a distinct, infectious laugh. She loved raising her children and especially cooking, making the best fudge, oatmeal cookies, pound cake, and enchiladas. She loved going to and having garage sales. She also liked playing bridge with friends and relatives.
Her husband, Ervin of 61 years, preceded her in death in 2007. She is survived by her son, Gordon and wife Camilla of Monahans, son Bernard of Hurst, Texas, son Patrick and wife Elizabeth of Austin, Texas, and daughter Theresa Fitzgerald and husband Greg of Midland, Texas. Grandchildren Heidi Branham and husband Chad of Monahans, Holly Vogt and husband Justin of Kerrville, Texas, Julie McAdoo and husband Cannon of Keller, Texas, Kimberly Blum of Austin, Texas, John Thorne of Austin, Texas, Lauren Clegg and husband Bryan of Dallas, Texas and Matthew Fitzgerald of Midland, Texas, and great-grandchildren Hudson and Hayes Branham, Mason and Houston McAdoo, and Kylan Thorne, her sister Christian Moyon, nephews Patrice, Lionel, and Pascal Moyon, and great niece Celine, as well as numerous other relatives in France.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM Monday, January 2, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Monahans with Home Hospice Chaplain Skip Hedgpeth officiating with Pastor Beth Harrington assisting. Burial will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Monahans Memorial Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Harkey Funeral Home, visit our website to sign the guestbook or leave the family a personal note at harkeyfunerals.com
Donations can be made to Home Hospice, 619 N. Grant, Suite 120, Odessa, Texas 79761

Service

Funeral Service

First United Methodist Church
600 S. Alice
Monahans, TX  79756
Monday, January 2, 2017
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Monahans Memorial Cemetery
4th and Helen
Monahans, TX  79756

Memorial Contributions

Home Hospice
619 N. Grant, Suite 120
Odessa, TX  79761