Blenda Ontiveros

Blenda Lou Crummer was born in Freeport, Illinois to George and Hulda Crummer on September 20, 1940. She grew up on a farm in Stevenson County with her sister Donna. They studied together in a one-room school house through the 8th grade and then attended Freeport High School where she thrived, to no one's surprise, in the drama club all four years. Her summers were fondly spent traveling with her parents and other family members throughout the United States. After high school, Blenda enrolled in Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Moline in 1958. It was there while during a night with dorm mates that she met the love of her life Bob Ontiveros. They were married 18 months later. Soon after they bought their first house on 25th Avenue in Rock Island where they welcomed their sons Chris and then Gregg.

She and Bob raised their two red headed boys in Rock Island and Blenda helped Bob establish his career as a traveling salesman. In 1974 they together started Bi- State Packaging where Blenda was the bookkeeper and office manager. Collecting money due was not an easy job but Blenda was a natural, chasing down companies big and small for payment. Bob could sell to everyone and Blenda was vigilant about accounts receivable. They were a great team & Bi-State Packaging grew into what is now Group O that employs thousands in numerous cities in the USA and Mexico. She instilled a culture of excellence and integrity that still endures today.

In 1984 Blenda retired to fulltime socialite, philanthropist, golfer and bridge player. They purchased a place in Longboat Key, or La La Land as Blenda lovingly called it, to spend their winters. Both in Florida and Illinois she excelled at golf, landing two Hole in Ones and winning several member/guest championships. She was the most accomplished golfer in the family to the chagrin of both her boys, especially Chris. She greatly enjoyed all of her friendships from Short Hills and Longboat Key club.

Blenda loved more than anything her travels far and wide that she did with Bob. They traveled to every continent but she was most fond of Istanbul, Angkor Wat and Kenya. It was in Kenya that Blenda found her muse for her extensive collection of art and artifacts. Her love of Africa extended to her financial support for Niabi zoo including the giraffe, rhino and zebra areas.

Blenda enjoyed time with her family including her grandchildren and more recently great grandchildren. Blenda loved her Hawkeyes, wine, chocolate, and spending time at the Christian Science Reading Room (aka the Isle of Capri).

Blenda passed away on March 11, 2023 and was reunited with the love of her life, Bob. She is survived by her sister Donna (Marv) Beyer, sons Christopher (Pamela), Gregg, grandchildren Maria, Allie, Dana, Will, Josie and Kendall, and great-grandchildren Emma, Stella and Anna.

There will be a memorial gathering for family and close friends beginning at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, with a time of sharing and refreshments, including Blenda’s favorite wine. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory under the direction of Trimble Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.