Samuel Casady

Samuel “Sam” Dean Casady, age 89, of Winona, passed away peacefully surrounded by his four children on April 3, 2021.

Born on September 2, 1931 in Milton, IA, Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine (Bair) Casady (of 59 years at the time of her death on July 6, 2010); brother: Richard (Mary) Casady; parents: Thomas Lowell Casady and Florence Miers Evans; step-father: John (Florence) Evans; and granddaughter: Madeline Marie Wermuth. Sam is father to: Mindy (Michael) Conrad, Sherry (Bruce) Wermuth, David Casady, and Sally (Mike) Moran. He is survived by his four children; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother: James (Barb) Evans; sister-in-law: Mary (Richard) Casady; brother-in-law: Richard (Mary Joy) Mc Williams; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sam’s wife and children were the center of his life.  He was an exceedingly devoted father who modeled for his children the love of Christ, a robust church life, community involvement, and athletic interest/acumen.

Sam spent his youth in Iowa, graduating from Parson’s College in 1950.  He served seven years in the Iowa National Guard as a medic and ballplayer. He forged an exceptionally successful 45-year career with the JCPenney Company from which he retired in 1991 in Edina, MN.  He and Maxine soon moved to Fountain Hills, AZ near daughter Mindy where they spent ten wonderful years.

After Maxine’s death in 2010, Sam made his home in Winona, MN near his youngest daughter, Sally and her family.  He became a pillar of the community as an active volunteer with the Winona Health Clinic and Hospice, the Winona Volunteer Services Food Shelf, quest speaker, beloved member of Pleasant Valley Church, and as the charter president of Willowbrook Cooperative where his cherished friends became his new family.

We remember Sam in many endearing ways.  He had an unwavering moral compass; he loved to share quips, lead committees, mentor/coach youth, gather for family reunions and vacation at dude ranches.  In his later years, Sam became increasing disappointed when he could no longer physically serve others while his body began to slow down.  He more than made up for that deficiency by remaining positive, treating all people with equal respect, and spreading joy to the very end.

Sam was a true servant; he was the epitome of all that is right with the world.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the memorial service at 11 AM on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at Pleasant Valley Church, Winona.

It is respectfully requested that memorials be directed to Winona Volunteer Services Food Shelf, 402 East Second Street, Winona, MN 55987.

On-line condolences and/or memories may be left for Sam’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.