John Vernon Kelly - 1878-1947

KELLY, LEWIS, HOLFORD, KOMPELIEN, KOELZ, LAYDEN, STEELE, SECHRIST, ISAACKSON, LEAS

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 1/11/2011 at 19:18:00

John Vernon Kelly, son of John Ora and Jane W. (Lewis), was born in Allamakee County, Iowa on January 21, 1878, the sixth of a family of 9 children. As a young boy the family moved to Cottonwood, Minnesota where he grew to manhood, attending the public schools and Hopkins Academy, in Hopkins, Minnesota. Following graduation, he taught school for several years.

He was united in marriage to Della Marie Holford, daughter of F.W. and Dorcas (Dunn) Holford on December 25, 1900 in Allamakee County, Iowa. To them were born six children. In 1902 the family moved onto a farm southeast of Cottonwood. Four years later they purchased a small farm on the northern edge of Cottonwood where he has since continued to live. In March 1907 Mr. Kelly began to serve the community as a rural letter carrier. On May 11, 1915, his wife, Della passed away.

In the course of time, Mr. Kelly and the children became members of the First Presbyterian Church. On February 12, 1918 he was elected as a ruling elder in the church where he faithfully carried out his responsibilities in this capacity to the end of his life. Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Nettie Kompelien on June 21, 1939. They were blessed with one daughter, Georgia Lee Kelly. On October 31, 1943, John retired from active service as letter carrier to follow his hobby of raising special breeds of livestock for which he was noted.

The last Thursday evening of his life he took his place as usual at the annual meeting of his church. On Saturday he complained of some physical irritation. On Sunday he suffered considerable pain and was ministered to by his wife and family. At 7:00 Sunday evening, March 30, 1947 John Vernon Kelly passed into the presence of his Savior, succumbing to a Coronary Occlusion. He passed from this life as he desired, quickly and without confinement or being a burden to his family. His passing is a great loss to his family, relatives, and friends but a gain for the one they loved.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon, April 3 at the J.George Koelz home and the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. C.S. Jackson officiating. Interment was in the Cottonwood Cemetery south of town.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife, Nettie; seven children, Vivian (Mrs. J. George Koelz) of Cottonwood, Minnesota, Marion (Mrs. Ralph Layden) Columbia, Missouri, Keith Kelly of Oelwein, Iowa, Helen Kelly of St.Paul, Minnesota, Delma (Mrs. Clarence E. Steele)of Granite Falls, Minnesota, Enid (Mrs. Ivan Sechrist) and Georgia Lee Kelly of Cottonwood; one step-daughter, Virginia (Mrs. Robert Isaackson) and one step-son, Raymond Kompelien; eight grandchildren, and one sister, Ida May (Mrs. John S. Leas) of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Out of town relatives who attended were Mrs. O.B. Kelly, Merwyn Kelly, Clinton Kelly, Mrs. Geraldine Kirkeby, and Mrs. Nona Hansmeier, all of Waukon, Iowa; Creston C. Kelly, Monona, Iowa, Merle Leas of Caledonia, Minnesota, Leo Leas of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Cecil Leas, Chicago, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Leas, St.Paul, Minnesota, Arden Leas, Crookston, Minnesota, Mrs. Elizabeth Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Eberlein, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Moi, all of Luverne, Minnesota; Miss Maybelle Stensrud, Glasgow, Montana; Mrs. T.J. Anderson, Fargo, North Dakota, Mrs. E.Jurgensen, Mrs. Ida Stensrud, and daughter, all of Clarksfield, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs Van Marnie,Minneota, Minnesota and Mrs. I.M Evans of Marshall, Minnesota.

SOURCE: Cottonwood, Minnesota, COTTONWOOD NEWSPAPER, April 1947
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Kelly Family researcher)
Notes: It is stated that he was the sixth child of a family of 9 children & at the time of his death was survived by 1 sister, Ida May (Mrs. John S. Leas). However, the obit was in error.
The surviving sibling, was his sister, Hester Olive, (Mrs. Jeremiah Seldon Leas). Hester was born January 26, 1875 and died July 22, 1950. She is buried in Benton co. MN at Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.

The obituary for IDA MAY (KELLY) LEAS is also posted on the Allamakee County Obituary board.