Bernadine (Knuppel) Blum, 92, of Brenham, died Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Oak Haven Assisted Living in Industry.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 2 at Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville. The funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the church, with Pastor Glenn Hohlt officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Bernadine was born September 9, 1933, in Brenham, Washington County, TX, to John and Mary (Lehde) Knuppel. She was baptized at home in the Long Point community of Washington County and was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. She attended Long Point School, Harrisburg School and Brenham High School. Due to her mother contracting polio and having difficulty walking, Bernadine learned service to others from early childhood, as she and her brother Arnold helped with the family's large gardens and many chores on their farm.

On January 23, 1955, Bernadine was married to Fred Blum at Zion Lutheran Church. They made their home with Fred's widowed mother, Emma Blum. Bernadine was a homemaker and helped with farming cotton and corn and raising cattle. She continued her life of service including more than 30 years as a Washington County election clerk. She enjoyed serving Zion Lutheran Church, where she was a lifelong member. Her volunteer work included plotting unmarked graves in the cemetery, church lawn and cemetery maintenance, making nursing home visits, making quilts, ushering for funerals, teaching vacation Bible school, coordinating Lutheran World Relief collections, serving as delegate for numerous synod conventions, working with the Women of the ELCA and assisting with the writing of Zion's history in observance of the church's 125th anniversary in 1995.

For 12 years, Bernadine worked part-time at Sarah's Interiors and Antiques in Long Point. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing and even made wedding dresses for her daughter and one of her granddaughters. Her talents also included baking and decorating cakes in the shapes of animals for her children's birthdays and for other special occasions, including numerous wedding cakes. One of Bernadine's greatest passions was recording family history, spending much time writing letters to relatives and searching records in the courthouse, churches and cemeteries. She also created many fun summer activities at the farm for her grandchildren. Bernadine enjoyed traveling, especially two memorable trips to Germany to visit the churches of her ancestors. She enjoyed gathering with many friends at Zion, St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Gay Hill and the weekly lunches at Burton Bridge Ministries.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Dennis Roehling of Brenham; son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Kathy Blum of Brenham; grandchildren, Donald Roehling and special friend Cyndi Klausmeyer of Burton, Audrey Masters and husband Cole of Bryan, Beth Eckelhoff and husband Brad of Cypress; great-grandchildren, Cole Roehling of Brenham and Isabel and Ethan Eckelhoff of Cypress; nephews, Ron Knuppel, James Pelkemeyer, Wayne Blum and Darrell Blum; and cousins, Emmit Knuppel, Elaine Lorenz, Billy Lehde and Bobby Lehde.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Blum; granddaughter, Lauren (Blum) Rupe; brother and sister-in-law, Arnold and Magdalene Knuppel; her parents; an infant sister, Helene Knuppel; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Emma and Fritz Blum; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Raymond and Annadell Blum and Mildred and Fred Pelkemeyer.

Pallbearers will be Donald Roehling, Cole Masters, Brad Eckelhoff, Cole Roehling, Ethan Eckelhoff, James Pelkemeyer, Wayne Blum, Darrell Blum and Gary Krinke. Honorary pallbearers are Ron and Ann Knuppel.

Memorials may be given to the cemetery fund at Zion Lutheran Church.

Special thanks goes to Bernadine's friends and caregivers at Oak Haven Assisted Living and Hospice Brazos Valley for their compassionate care.

Funeral arrangements for Bernadine Blum are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com