Passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025, surrounded by family.
She was born on August 3, 1934, in Racine, WI, to Ervin H. and Grace I. (Kiernan) Yentz. She attended St. Catherine’s in Racine, where she took part in the choir, debate team and drama club – playing lead in the senior-year production. As the youngest of four, Cay enjoyed helping raise nephews Carl and Steve. Cay graduated high school in 1952 and attended UW-Stout where she earned an education degree with a focus on teaching English, home economics and science. While at Stout, Cay met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Kasel. They were engaged in 1954 and married in 1956 –a gifted seamstress, Cay made her own wedding dress.
They moved to Canby, MN, before establishing their home in South St. Paul. Cay loved being amom, and she cared for their six children and the home while imparting values of faith, learning and self-sufficiency. She treasured family, cherishing its expansion through marriages and the arrival of grandchildren. She was always ready with a wonderful smile, story and full cookie jar. Cay gave of her time and talents through a lifetime of church and community volunteering. She sang in numerous choirs, knit prayer shawls, stitched quilts, sang and served at funerals, delivered Meals on Wheels and taught religious education. She was an exceptional bridge player, avid reader and everyone knew not to call her during Jeopardy. She also loved to golf, fish (always catching the biggest!), cheer on her teams and celebrate her Irish heritage. Cay is survived by her loving husband and children: Cynthia (Douglas) Schaefer, Christopher Kasel, Grace (Christopher) Liesch, Michael (Nadine) Kasel, Andrew (Lisa) Kasel and William (Sarah) Kasel. She is further survived by 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Cay was preceded in death by her beloved parents and siblings Zita, Thomas and Jerome. Memorial Mass 11 AM Tuesday, May 27th at the Church of St. Joseph, 1154 Seminole Ave., West St. Paul. Gathering of Family & Friends 1 hour prior to the Mass at church. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the South St. Paul Education Foundation, Attn: Kasel/Yentz scholarship. We will all miss her dearly, and wish to thank Cay’s friends, clergy and caregivers for their kindness and support.