Bernard Kaskie

Bernard Clare Kaskie, age 97 of Lennox, South Dakota died on July 28, 2025. Bernard was born in Sioux County, Iowa on May 28, 1928, the oldest of four children of Leo and Kathryn (Grant) Kaskie. He attended country school for 8 years and then Rock Valley High School, where he graduated in 1946. He married Joyce Elaine Johnson of Lennox, South Dakota on October 25, 1949 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rock Valley, IA. They had four children and lived in Rock Valley for just a few years. Joyce died on December 12, 2014 ending a marriage of over 65 years. During high school, Bernard worked for the railroad for four summers. He left home at the age of 15 the first summer. After graduating, he went to California where he worked for North America Aviation in Inglewood, CA. Upon his return to the Midwest, while living in Rock Valley he worked for Rock Valley Creamery Co for 12 years. He then occupied a position with Sioux Valley Milk Producers and was assigned a position at their plant in Alcester, SD. After just a year there, he was transferred to their Sioux Falls plant and appointed a plant superintendent. He remained with the company for 18 years after his transfer to Sioux Falls. The family moved to Lennox, SD in 1962. Later, he went to work for the Lennox South Dakota School District, spending 15 years as custodian, then one year serving the noon school lunch, and his remaining time as a bus driver. He drove a rural route twice daily, shuttles between schools for summer ed programs and many day, night, and weekend activities. He drove for Lennox Schools for 18 years and continued to drive the bus until he was 85 years old when he retired. He worked for Lennox schools for a total of 33 years. Bernard received a letter and certificate from the State of South Dakota School Bus Drivers Association for his years of service to the school children of the Lennox School District. He was a member of St Magdalen Catholic Church where he was a church usher, charter member of Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight for 2 years. Preceding him in death was his wife of 65 years, Joyce Kaskie, daughter Charlotte Kaskie, his parents, two brothers and one sister. He is survived by his daughter Marilyn (Marlyn) Jacobson of Lennox, SD; son James (Valerie) Kaskie of Mesa, AZ; daughter Rita (Darrell) Buller of Parker, SD; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

Bernard Kaskie

May 28, 1928 - July 28, 2025

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