Kathleen "Cas" Bly

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Mary Kathleen (Cas) Bly, was born November 23, 1926 in Mitchell,SD to Henry and Katherine (Welbes) VanDanacker. She was raised in nearby Farmer until age 16, when she and her mother moved to Sioux Falls following the death of her father.

Cas graduated from Cathedral High School in 1944 and earned a degree in cosmetology from the South Dakota Beauty Academy. On July 3, 1947 she married Loren Dale Bly in Mankato, MN, where they lived until returning to the family farm near Brandon. It is there where they lived, worked and raised their family. In 1997, Cas moved to Garretson where she remained until the time of her death.

Cas was an active member of Split Rock Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was dedicated to her church and community, but Cas’ greatest pride and joy was her family. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending their activities and sporting events, marking all of their major milestones and celebrating their achievements.

Dubbed an “honorary Norwegian” by Loren, Cas mastered the art of cooking lutefisk and making lefse, a skill she passed on to her children and family friends. As a skilled seamstress, Cas pieced a quilt for an annual raffle, raising funds to support her church. Cas was an avid bowler, rolling strikes and spares with her league team until her late 80’s. She was a crossword champion—her day didn’t get off the ground until she completed the daily puzzle—and she loved to travel with family and friends.

Following a long illness, Cas passed away on September 27, 2018 at Ava’s House. She is survived by Jerry (Ricke) Bly and their children Eric and Megan; Leala Bly and her children Lynn, Laura and Emily; Sue (James) Tupper and their children, Emma and Zachary; Dan Bly and his daughter, Betsy; Scott (Darla) Bly and their children Jase and Cole; Lisa (Mark) Johnson and their children Luke, Sam and Maddie. She is also survived by 16 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Cas was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Gerald and Raymond Tierney, sister Elsie Doyle, husband Loren, daughter Cheryl and son Timothy.

Funeral services will begin 1:00 PM Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at Split Rock Lutheran Church, rural Brandon. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Monday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.