Linus Reilly

Linus Reilly, age 96, Florence, died peacefully in the Jenkins Living Center at Watertown early Wednesday morning, March 18, 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 Corona virus outbreak:

A private funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday morning at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at Florence with The Reverend Daniel Smith celebrating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Cemetery at Watertown.  There will be no public visitation.

Linus Eugene Reilly was born in rural Watertown on November 22, 1923, to Thomas "Frank" and Anna Marie (Ronke) Reilly. He was the oldest of four children and grew up on the family farm north of Florence.  He graduated as valedictorian from Florence High School and is credited, along with a teacher and classmate, with starting the library at the school.  Linus was an avid reader and card player with pinochle and smear being his specialties.

Linus married Marlys Foley on October 22, 1957, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Florence, where both were lifetime members. Linus and Marlys continued the farming tradition on the family homestead, raising their three children.  Linus loved the farm and was proud of his pioneer heritage.  He could be called on to explain the Miller-Ronke-Reilly family tree and the history of homesteads in South Dakota.  Linus experienced the evolution of farming, starting his career as a boy using mules and horses to plant and harvest the crops.  His first tractor was an International B-Farmall.  Linus was a farm insurance salesman and a local postal mail carrier for many years.  Linus had an uncanny sense for weather forecasting and enjoyed telling his experiences of dodging multiple tornadoes throughout his lifetime.  Linus and Marlys loved to dance and could be found in their younger days at Sunnyside or the Casino doing the two-step or a polka.

Linus was very active in the community, farm organizations, and his church. He was a third degree Knight of Columbus.  He was proud of his military service and was stationed at the Ft. Riley Army Base.

He is survived by his children, Linda (Tim) Gergen of Valley, NE, Kathy (Kevin) Pommier, and Dave (Beth Sumner) Reilly of Florence; granddaughters, Shannon (Gergen) Tolstedt and Michelle (Gergen) Lanoue, Hollie and Nicole Pommier (Brandon Reichling). Great-grandchildren, Brynn Reilly and Lucas Christian Tolstedt and Michael Eugene, Maren Catherine Reilly and Baby Lanoue.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marlys (Foley) Reilly, parents T.F. (Frank) and Anna (Ronke) Reilly, and his sisters Mary Phyllis Brusie, Shirley (Don) Ries, and Frances (Leslie) Jenkins.

The Furness Funeral Home at Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com