Mary Lou Bloom

Minot

Mary Lou Bloom was born on July 26, 1941, in Stanley, to J. Edgar and Dora (Malcomb) Bloom. The family lived northeast of Plaza, where she attended Shealy Township Country School #2. Later, they moved into Plaza, and Mary Lou continued her education there, graduating in 1959. She loved sports and practiced with the boys’ basketball team since there was no girls’ team at that time.

In October 1959, Mary Lou enlisted in the United States Navy. She received training in electronics and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. After her honorable discharge in March 1964, she returned home for a year.

In 1965, Mary Lou moved to Minneapolis and began her career in technology at Control Data Corporation (CDC), which developed the first supercomputer. In the 1980s, when CDC reorganized, she relocated to Oklahoma City and began working for Seagate Technology. She retired in the mid-1990s as an inspector and decided to stay in Oklahoma. Following her retirement, she helped longtime friends, Ray and Caroline Dodd, with their store, where they sold collectables, baseball cards, coins, and China. She frequently attended local swap meets and enjoyed hunting for treasures at rummage sales.

Mary Lou had a deep love for her roots and returned to Plaza and her grandfather’s farm each summer throughout her life. She was an avid baseball card collector from high school onward and enjoyed watching and supporting her favorite teams, the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. Additionally, she played softball and participated in local bowling leagues.

In 2023, Mary Lou packed her essentials (including her step ladder) and moved to Minot, North Dakota, to be closer to her brother and cousins. She could often be found watching The Weather Channel (on mute) while completing a crossword or Sudoku puzzle.

Mary Lou lived a fulfilling life, marked by unique experiences, including being part of groundbreaking technology. Her big smile and kind heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her. On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Mary Lou Bloom passed away at the age of 84. Blessed be her memory among us.

Mary Lou is survived by her beloved brother, Walter Bloom of Minot; niece, Carmen Duvall (Dylan) of Elk River, MN; three great-nieces and two great-nephews; and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Barbara Johnson.

Funeral: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 2:00 p.m., at Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall

Interment: East Plaza Cemetery, Plaza with fellowship to follow at the Plaza Senior Citizens Center.

Published by The Minot Daily News, November 8, 2025.