'at age 17'
Lula ‘Lou’ Louise Block
Sept. 14, 1912 — Sept. 15, 2011
Lula "Lou" Louise Block, age 99, of Montrose, Colo., passed away Sept. 15, 2011 at San Juan Living Center in Montrose. Lou was born Sept. 14, 1912 to George Louis and Mary Virginia (Allen) Friend in Friend, Neb. Lou (Friend) Block was the granddaughter of Charles E. Friend, the founder of Friend, Neb. Her grandfather, Mr. Charles E. Friend, homesteaded the land that was to become Friend, Neb., and to insure further growth, he deeded the property for schools and churches in the area. He was the first appointed postmaster of Friend and was responsible for convincing the Burlington Railroad to establish a station in Friend. Lou spent her childhood in Friend, and graduated from high school in May 1930 in Friend, Neb. Following her first year of college, Lou married Harvey K. Block on March 15, 1933 in Omaha, Neb. He preceded her in death on Jan. 17, 1998 in Montrose. Lou worked for the Iowa Nebraska Light and Power Company and as a cashier for the Friend Theatre. Later, she worked for a Denver wholesale florist. Following her move to Montrose, Lou worked for Johnson Greenhouse and the Government Agency (USDA-ASCA office) for 19 years, retiring in 1973. After her retirement, she worked part time for clothing stores and Russell Stover Candies. In Lou’s younger years, she enjoyed horses and spending time with family and friends. Lou loved to entertain her bridge club and the holidays were always special with family gatherings and an open house. She was a fun loving person with a witty sense of humor. Lou loved the Lord and was a member of the Montrose Christian Church.
Surviving family members include her son, Donald Block of Grand Junction, Colo.; daughter, Dorothy V. (Block) Stewart of Montrose; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Lou was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother, Jack A. Friend; son-in-law, Bill Stewart; daughter-in-law, Jean Block; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. At Lou’s request, cremation has taken place and a celebration of Lou’s life, will be held in September 2012 on her 100th birthday. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
