Burnell Bly

Burnell Bly was born June 24, 1923 in rural Garretson to Harvey and Victoria (Rollag) Bly. He was baptized at Palisade Lutheran Church, and attended Pleasant View (No. 11) Rural School. Following grade school he attended South Dakota Ag School in Brookings and later took a special course in sheet metal work, because the U.S. Government needed specialized trained workers these temporary schools were set up. He was employed as a welder in the ship yards in Bremerton, Washington. Burnell returned to South Dakota where he owned and operated a farm near Garretson until he retired. After his farm sale in 2002, he moved to Dell Rapids.

Burnell was united in marriage with Lena Charette on February 10, 1973. Lena died on February 12, 1995.

Burnell was a longtime member of Split Rock Lutheran Church, where he was confirmed, and served on the cemetery board for many years.

Burnell died on Thursday, February 9, 2006, at the hospice of the Prince of Peace Nursing Home in Sioux Falls, at the age of 82.

Survivors include two sisters, Grace Berg, Dell Rapids, and Leonie (Bob) Hanson, Garretson; two sisters-in-law, Christine Bly, Sioux Falls, and Kathleen Bly, Garretson; two step-sons, Lou (Grace) Charette, Hartford, and Carol Charette, San Diego; a step-daughter, Lucienne Ducharme, Rochester, New Hampshire; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John and Loren Bly.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 13, 2006, at Split Rock Lutheran Church, rural Brandon, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2006 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.