Carol Kais

Carol Louise Blaney Kais passed away peacefully in Baton Rouge on November 13, 2021. Born on Christ’s birthday, 1933 in Madison, Wisconsin to Elsie and Edwin Blaney, she grew up on a farm where her father ran a thriving hybrid seed corn business. From her early youth, she was a deeply spiritual girl, captivated by the Catholic faith she was born into.

In elementary school, Carol attended a one-room school house at the end of her driveway. She dreamt of someday attending Catholic school and got her wish when her parents gave her permission to attend Edgewood Catholic High School. After high school, she studied elementary education at Edgewood College. Her eight years of Catholic education laid a firm foundation for her unwavering faith. A true fireball when it came to her faith, a female version of St. Paul the Apostle, she was uncompromising in her beliefs, proud of her Catholic faith and dedicated to it. After graduating from Edgewood, Carol worked as a first and second grade teacher. Her greatest delight, as a teacher, was teaching the little ones how to read, as she herself was an avid and enthusiastic reader.

Approximately five years later, she met her sweetheart at the age of twenty-nine. Her future husband was a plant pathologist for the U.S. Government. Carol was very taken by Albert’s friendly, joyful personality and his humor and charm. On July 14, 1962, Carol Louise Blaney and Albert Gilbert Kais were joined in Holy Matrimony at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Madison, Wisconsin. They settled in Biloxi, MS and enjoyed the warmer winters, the scenic beaches and the fresh delicious seafood. They were blessed with three beautiful children.

Carol, a loving and dedicated mother who wasn’t afraid to apply a firm hand when necessary, cooked delicious home-cooked meals for her family every night. She was a wonderful guide and teacher to her children particularly focusing on faith, morals and manners.

Once her children reached school age, she began to immerse herself in working for the Church. She was a true Church lady. Because she possessed such a passionate love for Our Blessed Mother, the Legion of Mary was a perfect fit for her. She put her whole heart and soul into her work. Throughout the years, she held many offices in this organization and was responsible for starting many new groups on the coast. She heroically performed her legion work until her health began to decline.

Carol and her husband were happily married for fifty-one years until his peaceful passage from this life into eternity on June 19, 2014. During the last five years of her life, her health was very poor but she maintained a strong, humble, cheerful, faith filled spirit in spite of her struggles. Carol was a true lady and a true Christian being worthy of true emulation and respect. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Carol was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Albert, her parents, Elsie and Edwin Blaney, and her brother Richard Blaney.

Surviving family members include three children: Jeanine Nelson; Daniel Kais and his wife Lesley, and Rev. Paul Kais. She has three grandchildren: Kenneth Kais and his wife Allyssa, Amber Trusty and her husband John, and Travis Kais; three great-grandchildren: Kate and Demi Kais and Calum Trusty. Other surviving relatives include her sister Betty, and her husband, Jim Guy; her sister-in-law Marjorie Blaney, numerous nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and great-nieces.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 9:30AM, followed by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30AM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 39531. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM followed by graveside services at 12:30PM at Biloxi National Cemetery. Reception will be at 1PM at Riemann Family Funeral Homes, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.