Gerald Kenneth KELLY

KELLY, HOFFMAN, LAMOREUX, LANGEL, SITZMANN, MCSHANE, ATHENS, BEITELSPACHER, VAN VOORST

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/24/2009 at 10:55:26

July 25, 2005
Sioux City Journal, Iowa

LE MARS, Iowa -- Jerry K. Kelly, 66, of Le Mars passed away on Friday, July 22, 2005, following a massive stroke he suffered on Sunday, July 17. A time of visitation and sharing of memories will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. A family service will follow at a later date.

Gerald Kenneth Kelly was born on Dec. 13, 1938, in Le Mars to Orrin M. and Frances H. (Hoffman) Kelly. He graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School in 1959. During his high school years, Jerry played basketball, was the quarterback for the football team and was a member of the Homecoming Court. Following his education, he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard. He served with Company A, 2nd Battalion (Mech) of the 113 Infantry in Le Mars. On Sept. 3, 1960, Jerry and Judith Lamoreux were united in marriage at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sioux City. The couple made their home in Le Mars. In 1962, Jerry graduated from the Police Academy in Des Moines, Iowa. He would spend the next 16 years serving with the Le Mars Police Department. He retired from the department in 1978 and briefly served the towns of Merrill and Renwick, Iowa. After his police work, Jerry helped his wife, Judy, operate the Kelly's Day-care from their home, and he also worked for Ruhland Nursery in Le Mars. He was presently employed with the City of Le Mars Parks Department. He was a member of Wasmer Post 241 of the American Legion, Iowa Peace Officers and Iowa Fireman's Association, the Eagles Club and had served with the Le Mars Fire Department. Jerry loved socializing and dancing. His favorite performers were Neil Diamond and the Platters. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and also had a passion for running.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 44 years, Judy of Le Mars; a daughter, Kathy Langel of Le Mars and her daughter, Bobbie Sitzmann and her husband, Joe of Omaha, Neb. and Jared and Megan Langel at home; a son, Michael Kelly and his wife, Melissa and their children, Tayler and Spencer of Orange City, Iowa; a son, Jeff Kelly and his wife, Amy and their children, Jessica, Andrea and Jayme of Le Mars; a daughter, Lauri McShane and her husband, Brian and their children, Ian and Lea Athens and Katelyn and Payton McShane of Charleston, S.C.; a daughter, Jeni Beitelspacher and her husband, Scott and their daughter, Sophie of Le Mars; and a daughter, Jill Van Voorst and her husband, Travis of Le Mars; a brother, Pat Kelly; and a sister, Katie Kelly, both of Le Mars. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Thomas; and a son-in-law, Jami Langel.