James was born August 7, 1938 in Decorah, Iowa to Francis and Mary (Knox) Kelly. He attended the Prosper School and then the Canton High School. At sixteen years old he started working for Surity Waterproofing in Rochester. On October 30, 1960 he married Lauretta Cyr. They operated Kelly Locker in Canton and he also had milk truck route. They later divorced. On August 23, 1980 he married Vergene Wangen in Canton. He worked for Carlson Company in Decorah, Iowa for 32 years and part-time for Oak Meadow Meats in Harmony. He was a retired member of the Canton Fire Department and enjoyed spending time with his family, giving the grand kids tractor rides, satisfying his sweet tooth, celebrating his Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day, and his dog, Tanner.
Jim passed away Sunday, April 19, 2015 at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin at the age of 76.
Jim is survived by his wife Vergene of Canton; children Tammie (Kenneth) Scott of Chisholm, Minnesota,Lauretta (Allen) Mart of Chisholm, Tina (Devry) Kerns of Canton, Jamie (Makaila) Kelly of Canton, James Kelly, Jr. of Harmony, Bradley (Michelle) Kelly of Acworth, Georgia, Eugene Kelly of Canton, and Tonya (Tom) Burke of Harmony; a step-son Duane (Becky) Gorder of Tower, Minnesota; sixteen grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; three sisters Marilyn Erickson-Anderson of Houston, LaDonna (Cleon) Brenno of Canton, and Mary Faith ( Lynn) Martinson of Monona, Iowa; two brothers Douglas (Rita) of Rochester, and Bob (Lisa) of Dodge Center. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son David Kelly; a daughter Brenda; granddaughter Abby; and brothers Frank, Jr., Leo, and Paul.
Funeral Mass will be 11 AM Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the Assumption Catholic Church in Canton, Minnesota with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Canton. Visitation will be from 4 – 8 PM Wednesday, April 22 at the Assumption Catholic Church and one hour prior to services. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 PM Wednesday at the Church. |
