Kenneth Allan Bloom, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026.

A Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026 at Community Reformed Church, 6800 E. 41st St., Sioux Falls, SD. Burial, with military honors, will follow at 3:00 pm at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 25965 477th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD.

Ken was born on October 3, 1943 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Mary (Biza) and Edwin Bloom. He spent his formative years, from age five through high school, in Bagley, Minnesota, alongside his older brother, Tom, and his sister, Kathy.

After high school, Ken enrolled at the University of North Dakota. Following his freshman year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Petty Officer 3 radar operator, while traveling and experiencing the world. After completing his service, Ken returned to the University of North Dakota with renewed focus and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration. It was there that he met the love of his life, Bonita (Bonnie) Olson, whom he married June 8, 1968.

After graduating, Ken joined 3M, where he built a successful career and rose through the ranks to become a senior purchasing manager, overseeing government contracts. His friendships from 3M lasted for many decades.

Ken was a thoughtful and principled man. He shared many words of wisdom, often referred to as his "Smokisms," with his three sons, Steve, Michael, and Ed. Among them: "Give children responsibility at a very early age and hold them accountable. We tend to underestimate a child's ability to act responsibly." He also advised, "Use your influence where it will make the greatest difference, remembering that you have little influence in the world, a bit more in your country, some in your community, much with your friends, and a great deal within your family." Whenever one of his sons did something wrong, Ken issued a fair punishment but also took time to talk at the end of the day about lessons learned. He believed that "There should always be a connection between what a child does and what the child receives, except in the case of love, which was unconditional."

Seizing opportunities for both career and family, Ken moved his family across the country over the years, living in Minnesota, Nebraska, California, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and South Dakota. Of these, the six years in Oklahoma were especially formative. There, Ken and Bonnie built a home on rural acreage outside of Weatherford and raised their family with an emphasis on independence, responsibility, and service to others.

In Oklahoma, Ken led with quiet courage. When a neighbor's house caught fire in the middle of the night, Ken ran toward the danger to make sure no one was inside before help arrived. On quieter days, He worked alongside his sons, tending the property, building gadgets and teaching them that hard work and accountability were simply part of daily life. Those years, filled with both adventure and challenge, left a lasting mark on his family. Always curious, when tornado warnings came, Ken made sure the family was safely in the "Fraidy Hole" storm shelter before climbing onto the roof with binoculars to watch for storms.

Ken loved the outdoors and working with his hands. As a Boy Scout leader, he patiently taught camping and outdoor survival skills. He spent countless hours fishing and hiking with his boys. With endless patience, he untangled lines, rebaited hooks, and made sure everyone was taken care of. He was always fixing, building, and improving. Ken was an avid gardener who planted trees, built a pond, and could repair just about anything around the house. In his retirement years in Bella Vista, Arkansas, Ken became a Master Naturalist and a wild mushroom hunter.

A man of deep faith, Ken believed that God had a plan for each of us. His greatest legacy is the devoted family he leaves behind, whose members love one another and strive to live by his example of character, humility, cheerfulness, and strength.

Ken is survived by his wife, Bonnie; their children Steve Bloom of Savage, MN, Michael (Leah) Bloom of Lincoln, MA, and Ed (Heidi) Bloom of Sioux Falls, SD; his brother Tom (Vivian) Bloom of Cumming, GA; sister Kathy Goodey of Middleton Cheney, England and seven grandchildren, Andrew, Bennett, Riley, Matthew, Anders, Elin, and Axel Bloom.

In lieu of flowers, Ken's family request memorials be directed to:

The Dougherty Hospice House

4509 S. Prince of Peace Pl.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57103