Paul Bly

Paul Bly, age 61, of McIntosh, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 13th, at his home in Erskine, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19th, at the McIntosh Community Center with Jeanne Rains officiating. Interment will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery, McIntosh. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the community center. In lieu of flowers, donations may directed to the Center of Addiction and Faith, 7167 Waterstone Lane, Woodbury, MN 55125. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of McIntosh and messages of condolence may be shared at carlinfuneral.com.

Paul Alan Bly was born on August 25, 1962, in Cokato, Minnesota to parents Mahlon and Arlene (Hovde) Bly. He grew up in McIntosh and graduated from McIntosh-Winger High School in 1980. After high school, he attended NDSU, entering the Animal Science program. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree and began work as a dairy herdsman in Lisbon, North Dakota. 

Paul married Rose Kellen on January 21, 1989. To this union, two children were born, Kendra and Jacob. Christ was at work in Paul’s heart during these early years in his life. As a result, in 1993, he accepted his life’s call and entered Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1997, he was ordained as a Lutheran minister in the ELCA by Rev. Bob Rains in his home church, Salem Lutheran, in McIntosh. 

Paul took his first ministerial call to Philip, South Dakota where he spent the next 7 ½ years. He and Rev. Bill Hamill shared in the ministry of a five-point parish. His next call brought the Bly family to Pierre, South Dakota where Paul pastored at Resurrection Lutheran Church. 

Paul was a true servant. As a result, his ministry extended well beyond the physical walls of a church. He continued to touch people’s lives, those living near and far, throughout his life. He will be remembered by his family, friends, and parishioners as someone who dedicated his life in service to others. 

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, knife sharpening and gardening. A gift he gave was his gift of storytelling and joke telling (especially Ole and Lena jokes). Most important to Paul was his family, especially his granddaughters, Effy and Ezlynn.

Survivors include his two children, Kendra (Christopher) and Jacob; granddaughters, Effy and Ezlynn; his mother, Arlene; six brothers, Leslie (Cynthia), Calvin (Grace), Clifford (Nicki), Victor (Elena), Russell (Dawn), and Fritz (Ilona) Wiebel. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his father, Mahlon; grandparents, Mahlon and Ella Bly and Arne and Anna Hovde; and infant sister, Ellen.