Cloudy, 28° F
(Oct. 29, 2003)
Funeral services were conducted at Hope Lutheran Church Saturday for James Ingolf Bly, retired Northwest College professor of journalism and English, who died Wednesday, Oct. 29 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont. He was 68.
He was born Sept. 8, 1935, in Kikungshan, China, son of Herman William Bly and Stella Margrete (Nummedal) Bly. His father was a Lutheran minister doing missionary work in China at the time.
He earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Augustana College in South Dakota and completed a Ph.D. in English at the University of Northern Colorado after service in the U.S. Army in Frankfurt, Germany, from 1967-1969.
While he was in Germany, he met Gertrud Wilhemine Boeger, who was working as a nurse in Frankfurt. They were married April 25, 1969, in Fischerhude, Germany.
As a working journalist, he served as a correspondent for the Associated Press, with assignments in Pierre, S.D., and at the United Nations.
His teaching career brought him to Powell in 1983, where he taught English and journalism at NWC until 1996. He served as adviser to the student newspaper, The Trail, and he was a board member of the Northwest Civic Orchestra.
He loved reading, music and enjoying the beauty of nature.
Dr. Bly enjoyed the love of his family. His children, Lars and Aree, were his greatest pride and joy. The marriage of his daughter, Aree, to Thomas Leonard in 2001 was a moment of great satisfaction.
Survivors include his wife, Gertrud Bly of Powell; a daughter, Aree Katje Bly and her husband, Thomas Leonard, of Morrison, Colo.; a sister, Margrete Beard and husband Robert of Northglenn, Colo.; a brother, Philip Bly and wife Brenda Urke of Minneapolis, Minn.; four brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, all of Germany; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Lars A. Bly in July of 1988; a brother, Paul Bly; and a sister, Grace Elaine Bly.
Pallbearers at the funeral were Philip Bly, Thomas Leonard, Douglas Pearce, Dean Roberts, Jim Vogt and Ken Fulton.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to Hope Lutheran Church or the Northwest College Foundation.
Pastor Clyde Seifert officiated at services and burial at Crown Hill Cemetery. Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
