Funeral services for Robert “Bob” Bly will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Spring Valley, MN with Pastor Joe Haynes officiating. Burial will be at Spring Valley Cemetery. Friends may gather from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley and one hour prior to the service at church.

Robert “Bob” Thomas Bly, 74, of Ostrander, Minn., passed away peacefully in his sleep into the arms of the Lord surrounded by his family at Seasons Hospice of Rochester, Minn. on Friday, Nov. 2.

Bob was born in Chatfield, Minn. on Oct. 5, 1938, to Glenn Jr. and Amber (Rucker) Bly of rural Spring Valley. He attended elementary in the country school and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1956. In the spring of 1958, he met his one and only love, Marjorie Hector. They were united in marriage on Aug. 22, 1959, at the First Baptist Church in Spring Valley, Minn. They resided outside of Stewartville, Minn., and eventually moved to rural Spring Valley.

Bob farmed and raised cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. He had a love for music and loved to sing and dance. He was employed at Crenlo, did roofing, restored antique automobiles, and farmed. His favorite past times were riding horses and trail rides, camping, and spending as much time with family as possible. He loved to socialize and befriend a stranger. He had a deep love and spiritual relationship with the good Lord.

Bob and Marge raised seven children and celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary this past August. In recent years, Bob and Marge resided in Ostrander, Minn. He was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma cancer in February of 2012. He was deeply loved and will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie, seven children Scott (Jeanine) Bly of Spring Valley, Bradley (Teresa) Bly of Spring Valley, Marty Bly of Ostrander, Kelly (Clarke) Nelson of LeRoy, Minn., Trevor (Sue) Bly of Chatfield, Minn., Dennis Bly of Austin, Texas, Heidi Jones of Ostrander, 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Brother Jerry Bly of Spring Valley, sisters Evelyn (Ray) Voigt of Taopi, MN, Irene (Bob) Hyland of Austin, MN, Patty (Steve) Davis of Lime Springs, Iowa, Judy Heidtke of Spring Valley, Joan Harang of Lake Mills, Iowa, Deborah (Karl) Hoefs of Spring Valley, and Carolyn (Bob) Omar of Lime Springs, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Carrol. Condolences may be left online at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com