William H. Kelly

William H. Kelly, age 91, resident of Lakota, ND, formerly of Devils Lake and Brocket, ND, died Monday, March 9, 2009 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center.

William Henry Kelly was born February 13, 1918 in Newbre Township of Ramsey County, near Brocket, ND, the son of Patrick and Anna (Cash) Kelly. In 1924 he moved with his parents into Brocket, but continued helping his brother, Edward, with the farm chores. Bill attended the Newbre Township School and the Brocket Public School. He farmed in Newbre Township for many years and also helped other farmers in the area. Bill moved to Devils Lake in 1955. It was then that he began working for the ND State Department of Transportation until his retirement on November 3, 1982. He continued living in Devils Lake and eventually moved to the Odd Fellows Home, where he lived for a few years. In February of 2002 he moved to the Lakota Good Samaritan Center. Bill's hobby was traveling. Throughout his life he traveled extensively across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Saturdays were spent driving around the countryside observing the crops and visiting with his friends. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brocket. Bill will be remembered as an interesting, caring, and generous man.

Bill will be missed by his special friends, the Gordon Nelson family; his many nieces and nephews; and his extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Grant (Laura) Cunningham and Ed (Adelia) Kelly; and 3 sisters, Florence (Ray) Gossett, Grace (Olaf) Eidsness, and Agnes (Ed) Killalea.

The Funeral Mass for William Kelly will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Devils Lake, ND, on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Celebrating the Mass will be Rev. Fr. Robert Pecotte. Music will be provided by JoDee Lagein. Interment will be in the spring at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery of Brocket, ND. Casketbearers will be John Kelly, Kelsey Eidsness, Scott Nelson, Lee Nelson, Lyle Sundeen, O'Neil Rainsberry, Shane Eidsness, Collin Eidsness, and James Kelly. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND, on Friday, March 13, 2009 beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Church on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.