Peter Kelly Mckenzie

Peter Kelly McKenzie passed on April 2, 2012 with his children by his side at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Kelly was born March 31, 1934 in Aneta, ND to Dr. Peter and Marie McKenzie. Kelly graduated from Grand Forks Central in 1952. He served in the US Army before attending the University of North Dakota. At UND Kelly sang for the University Bards and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Upon graduation Kelly moved to Bismarck, ND where he worked as the Assistant Personnel Director for the ND State Highway Department. He also served as the Assistant Civil Defense Director and Assistant Deputy State Treasurer. On March 3, 1962 he married Donna Kraft in Bismarck, ND. In 1971 the family moved to Michigan, ND were Kelly began his 30 year career in banking with Lamb's Bank and later First United Bank.

Kelly continued his civic and professional duties after moving to Michigan serving on the city council and on the boards of the Michigan Development Corp, McVille Hospital and the ND Bankers Association. In 1981 Kelly was appointed by Governor George Sinner to the North Dakota State Centennial Commission where he enjoyed planning the state's centennial celebrations.

Since 2003 Kelly had been serving on the board of directors for Polar Communications of Park River. He was currently serving as the secretary/treasurer for the corporation. In 2008 Kelly also began serving on the board for the North Dakota Telephone Association of Devils Lake. He served as an alternate director along with several committee positions with the North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperatives. He considered his time serving in telecommunications as his second career after his retirement from banking. He was very proud to be able to serve his community and state.

Kelly was a member of St Lawrence O'Toole Catholic Church, the American Legion, ELKS, ELKS Choir and Michigan Duffers Club. He enjoyed playing the piano, singing, golf, travel and working in the many flower gardens in his yard. His true joy was the time spent with his children and grandchildren.

Kelly was preceded in death by son Peter Francis, parents and brother-in-law. Survived by wife of 50 years, Donna; son Dane (Darcy) of Mendota Heights, MN; son Michael (Fanta) of Arlington, VA; daughter Shannon Hillman (Jason) of Prior Lake, MN; five grandsons and one granddaughter; sister-in-law Ann Stoltz of Beach, ND and three nieces.

A celebration of Kelly's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at St Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake, ND. Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. the evening prior at Aaker Funeral Home in Lakota, ND. Kelly will be interred beside his son at the Michigan Cemetery following the Funeral Mass.

Memorials preferred to the Peter F McKenzie Memorial Award, NDSU School of Architecture, Fargo, ND.