Joan A. Bluma's Obituary
Joan (Passarella) Bluma, age 91, passed away peacefully May 9, 2026 at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in King WI where she had been living over the last 1 ½ years. She was born in Chicago IL to Nicholas and Lorraine (Higgins) Passarella on April 17, 1935. As a teenager, she and her family moved from Chicago to the Almond Wisconsin area.
Joan graduated from Waupaca High School in 1953. Her senior yearbook description reads, “Smiling face and twinkling eye; you simply cannot pass her by.” On February 12, 1955 she was united in marriage to Valerion “Larry” Bluma.
Before retirement, Joan had been a long-time employee at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in King and earlier had worked at the A&P grocery store in Waupaca.
She is survived by her husband Larry, son David (Brad Morrison) Bluma, daughter Jeanne (Lorrie) Peskie, grandsons Nicholas Peskie and Shawn (Carson) Peskie, step-granddaughter Gretchen Peskie, great granddaughters Kendall and Quinn Peskie, nieces Carmen (Mark) Rasmussen and Jackie (David) Habighorst and many other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law Daniel J. (Ursel) Passarella Sr., step-granddaughter Tonya Peskie, nephew Daniel Passarella Jr. and all of her aunts and uncles.
A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, May 18, 2026 at Moses Hall Chapel - WI Veterans Home in King, WI. A Celebration of Life will follow the service in the Great Room at Moses Hall until 3:00 PM. Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of Joan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joan?
Share a story where Joan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joan you’ll never forget.
How did Joan make you smile?

