| Honored by: | Suzanne Kelly |
| Brick location: | G:9 map |
Edith Lucille Blood was born on September 3, 1912 in Herman, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm near Runnells, Iowa in a family of 10 children.
Highlights of her professional life are listed below:
* Graduated from Iowa State College in Home Economics Education in 1935 * Selected for membership in Phi Upsilon Omicron (National Home Economics Honorary)
* Taught home economics at Mingo, Iowa from 1935-36
* Worked for the government as a home economist for the Rural Rehabilitation program from 1936-37
* Taught home economics at Blairsburg, Iowa from 1937-38
* Taught home economics at Dexter, Iowa from 1955-57
* Taught home economics at Adel, Iowa from 1957-75
Edith's personal life has included the following highlights:
* Marriage to Herman Zobrist in 1938
* Move to the farm in Dallas County in 1943
* Birth of her two children -- Dale (1942) and Suzanne (1943)
* Birth of her grandchildren -- Leanne Zobrist (1974) Kevin Zobrist (1978) and Ryan Kelly (1978)
She has always credited 4-H as a tremendous influence in her life. Edith served as Polk County President in 1929 State 4-H Girls' Historian in 1930 and a delegate to National 4-H Camp in 1931. Her participation in 4-H led to recognitions which enabled her to receive a loan from the Des Moines Business and Professional Women. This assistance allowed her to attend Iowa State College and fulfill a dream -- to have the opportunity to learn.
It is with extreme pleasure and gratitude that I nominate Edith Lucille Blood Zobrist, my mother, to be included in the Plaza of Heroines. For over fifty years she has been a heroine to me. As her daughter, I have admired her strength of character and fortitude as she has faced numerous challenges. Her faith in God, dedication to family and love of the Iowa farm land have provided an inspiration to friends and family.
updated: 1996