Signe Vera Block, 92, of Boulder, Colorado, formerly an 80 year resident of Gothenburg, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday morning, April 27th, 2013, at the home of her granddaughter, Christiana Lucani, with her daughter, Rhonda, by her side. Funeral services will be held at the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg on Friday, May 3rd at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be Thursday, May 2nd, from 3 to 8 PM at the Blase -Strauser Memorial Chapel, with Signe’s family present to welcome friends and family from 5 to 7 PM. Burial will follow the service at the American Lutheran Church cemetery, northeast of town.
Signe was born on January 16th, 1921 to Carl Wahlgren and Signe (Fernstrom) Wahlgren, both immigrants from Sweden. She was the youngest of six children. She graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1938. On August 21st, 1940, Signe married Clarence M. Block in Gothenburg. They honeymooned in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She became a member of the Lutheran church in 1940, continuing to be a member for the remainder of her life. In 1943, they began farming north of Cozad. In 1950, they purchased a farm southwest of Gothenburg, which they farmed until retiring. Clarence and Signe enjoyed taking their family on yearly trips to the mountains and other interesting places. They had opportunity to travel to visit Signe’s relatives in Sweden and see other sights in Europe. Signe was an active community member, serving at church and involved in women’s clubs, and senior center activities. She studied painting and came to find great pleasure in painting china; her love of beauty was expressed through her paintings of flowers and landscapes on china, which are treasured by her family. Gardening, canning, and baking were her favorite jobs and her Swedish pancakes were a family favorite. She was an excellent cook. Family was her passion; she spent her life involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She delighted each time a new baby was added to the family and loved to hold them. She continued to mother through her last days. She had moved to Boulder into Dunn Memorial Senior Housing to be near family, and both her family and her friends at Dunn provided activities and a caring environment that gave her a sense of well-being and peace. She was blessed with amazing endurance and continued to live independently until the last months of her life. As the family gather by her bedside on the last evening of her life, she spoke to each family member individually, telling each of her great love for them and blessing them.
Survivors include two daughters, Janet (Ed) Youngberg of Evergreen, CO, and Rhonda Block Alstad of Boulder, CO, and one son, Mark (Kim) Block of Denver, CO, and son-in-law, Terry King. Grandchildren include Sonja Youngberg, Elise (Dan) Vaughan, Gesyka (Daniel Burkard) Youngberg, Britt Alstad, Christiana (Leonardo) Lucani, Zachary Alstad, Mistia (Harmon) Zuckerman, Jeneia Mullins, Dustin Block, Ryan (Samantha White) Block, Jim King, Libby (Jamie) King and David (Tiffany) King . There are 12 great-grandchildren who will also, dearly miss her.
Signe was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Block; daughter, LaDonna King; son-in-law, John Alstad, and great-granddaughter, Fritzie Zuckerman; all her siblings and most of her dear friends. She was blessed with such a long and rich life. She died as she lived, with strength, faith, compassion, determination and love. She will be greatly missed by all those who know her.
The family suggests that memorials may be given to “The City of Gothenburg Commemorative Tree Program” in Signe Block’s name or the “Gothenburg Senior Center”.