Nicholas (Otis) Bloom

Nicholas (Otis) Joseph Bloom, 73, of Wadsworth, IL, passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital in Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Born on March 19, 1948, in Waukegan to Walter and Patricia (English) Bloom Sr., Nick was second oldest of nine children.  Pat did all she could to keep the kids in line while Walter Sr. did all he could to ensure his kids new the art of using what nature provided to put food on the dinner table (gardening, trapping, hunting, fishing).  At times, it was a hard way to grow up but taught them a lifetime of skills.  Skills that knew no boundary of the law.

That is the beginning of the story of the greatest Lake County IL poacher ever.  Equally matching those poaching skills were Nick’s natural abilities as a practical joker, tall tale story teller, woman costume wearing, rough & tough fighting, button pusher, good time generator, soft hearted, fair, risk taker, womanizing, consequence avoider, boozing, US Air Force representing, knowing value of fun over work, Old Style drinking, tire smoking, mechanic working, flower seed picking, pickled fish making, goose jerky dehydrating, pig roasting, knowing value of your blood, drywall taping, Johnson Motors machining, family gatherer, kid loving, fib telling, mushroom picking, trickster, deer head wall of fame creating, Halloween loving, self-taught gaming law graduate, DNR law dodging, rifle loving, dumpster diving, road chef, fowl t-shirt wearing, rabble-rousing, dog howling, heavy laughing, mustache wearing, firework loving, hard worker, sh*t eating crack of a smile, matriarch, son of a gun.

Nick carried these skills and shared them all through his life, taking the time to instill them in his children and grandchildren, ensuring the Nick Bloom legacy.  When we all see Nick again, he will have all new hunting and fishing stories to share but this time, there will be no diving into a ditch because there is no DNR in heaven.  We love you Dad; your personality is as big as your physical stature.

Nicholas is survived by his wife Nancy; his children, Kimberly Morrow, Michael Bloom, Travis (Karen) Bloom, and Gloria (Matthew) Knaus; his siblings, Walter Bloom Jr., Michael Bloom, Donna Bloom, Cathy Bloom, Patty (Rick) Steffenhagen, and Joe Bloom; and 5 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Kevin Bloom and sister, Mary Wayman.

In lieu of flowers, please consider emptying a box of shells on a flock of geese or taking down the first deer rack you see.  If a rifle is not in your future, you may consider donating, as Nick did, to your local Wounded Warriors or Ducks Unlimited chapters.

The family will hold a Nick Bloom Remembrance Party at the home of Nick and Nancy Bloom on Saturday October 16, 2021, beginning at Noon until the last man is able to stand.  Feel free to come anytime throughout the day.  Come with a dish to pass (disposable container), pictures of Nick to pin on remembrance boards and most importantly, bring a Nick story!

Warren Funeral Home is assisting the family.