Memorial

Dolores Del Ledford (nee Bloom) passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026, at the age of ninety-one. A visitation will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12 noon at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Entombment will be private. 

Dolores was born in Albia, Iowa, on September 5, 1934, to Ruby (nee Bridgeford) and Curtis Bloom. While attending Marshalltown High School she met the love of her life, Lowell Edward Ledford. They married on November 1, 1952, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa.  On September 19, 1953, they welcomed their daughter Valerie Lynne into their lives. The family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1958, and in 1962 they started Ledford Engineering Co. Inc., a tool and die manufacturing company. Later, Dolores became a realtor in Cedar Rapids and found her calling. She was recognized for having done so for over 40 years by the National Association of Realtors. Dolores and Lowell spent many years cruising the Mississippi river on their boat, the Elegante, and, in recent years, avoiding Iowa winters, in their home in Naples, Florida.

If you met Dolores, she most certainly left an impression. She was an intelligent and fun-loving woman who connected with people from all walks of life. Dolores enjoyed entertaining, cooking, and celebrating holidays with her family. Most of all she enjoyed creating memorable experiences for those she loved, especially her grandchildren.  A lover of all animals, she was known to occasionally adopt a stray cat, care for deer and especially adored her dogs Tia, Mia and Muffin. 

It cannot go without saying that Dolores’ signature style of white and gold, was reflected in her choice of clothes, cars, interior décor and pets. She was rather well known for this, and it complemented her dynamic personality. 

Dolores is survived by her husband of 73 years, Lowell; daughter, Valerie (James) of Iowa; grandchildren, John (Adriana) of Rhode Island, Eric (Stephanie) of Iowa, Adam (Kristen) of Vermont, and Anna (George) of New York: great grandchildren, Harper, Lowell, William, Michael, Nile, Boden, John and Hugh.

The family extends their deepest gratitude and love to Irene Castillo for her steadfast support of the Ledfords in Naples, Florida. 

We’d also like to thank Suncrest Hospice for their compassionate direction during this difficult time and, especially, to the outstanding staff at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids for the wonderful care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Allsop Family Humane Society or a charity of your choice.