Thief River Falls – Brian Kelly, 56, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 28 at Angus-Tabor Presbyterian Church, Angus, with Pastor Jeff Gustafson officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Euclid.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, Dec. 27 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held at the church for one hour prior to the funeral.
Brian Vern Kelly was born in Benson on Dec. 31, 1950 the son of George and Mary Jane (Gosson) Kelly.
Following school, Brian went to work for Walt Solie laying sod. While working for Walt, Brian learned how to drive a semi and that was the start of his trucking career. He eventually became owner/operator of his own semi. He also worked at Simplot in Crookston for a short time.
Through Brian’s trucking career he drove for 40 years and approximately through million miles. He knew the roads throughout the country so well that he never needed to look at a map to find his way.
On October 17, 1969 he was united in marriage to Josephine Olness in McIntosh. To this union there were three children born, Tammy, Peter and Cindy.
On June 21, 1986 he was united in marriage to Sharon (Owens) Pedersen at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. To this union, Sharon brought three children, Kristine, Wendy and Brent. The couple made their home in the Thief River Falls area.
Brian enjoyed spending time at his cabin with his Share-Bear and family at Zippel Bay at Lake of the Woods. Fishing in his Lund boat was a passion that Brian enjoyed sharing with his family and friends “going after that big one,” using his favorite fishing rod “Billy Barou.” He was lovingly called “Kelsky” by his fishing buddies.
Brian also loved watching movies with Bandy, his German shepherd by his side and his cup of coffee.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon “Share-Bear” of Thief River Falls; six children, Tammy (Daniel) Olson of Edinburg, N.D., Peter (Candy) Kelly of White Bear Lake, Cindy (Chris) Vargason of Edinburg, N.D., Kristine (Scott Langlie) Hallstrom of Thief River Falls, Wendy (Duke) Garfve of Warren and Brent (Jessica) Pedersen of Thief River Falls; 16 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Rosalie Taylor of Marietta, Jackie (Sylvester) Schleppenback, Dean (Marvalyn) Kelly of Maxwell, Iowa, Bonnie Telshaw of Belle Plaine; and many other relatives and friends, including Scott Baril his friend of 34 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, David; and brother-in-law, Wayne Taylor.
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Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 28 at Angus-Tabor Presbyterian Church, Angus, with Pastor Jeff Gustafson officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Euclid.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, Dec. 27 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held at the church for one hour prior to the funeral.
Brian Vern Kelly was born in Benson on Dec. 31, 1950 the son of George and Mary Jane (Gosson) Kelly.
Following school, Brian went to work for Walt Solie laying sod. While working for Walt, Brian learned how to drive a semi and that was the start of his trucking career. He eventually became owner/operator of his own semi. He also worked at Simplot in Crookston for a short time.
Through Brian’s trucking career he drove for 40 years and approximately through million miles. He knew the roads throughout the country so well that he never needed to look at a map to find his way.
On October 17, 1969 he was united in marriage to Josephine Olness in McIntosh. To this union there were three children born, Tammy, Peter and Cindy.
On June 21, 1986 he was united in marriage to Sharon (Owens) Pedersen at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. To this union, Sharon brought three children, Kristine, Wendy and Brent. The couple made their home in the Thief River Falls area.
Brian enjoyed spending time at his cabin with his Share-Bear and family at Zippel Bay at Lake of the Woods. Fishing in his Lund boat was a passion that Brian enjoyed sharing with his family and friends “going after that big one,” using his favorite fishing rod “Billy Barou.” He was lovingly called “Kelsky” by his fishing buddies.
Brian also loved watching movies with Bandy, his German shepherd by his side and his cup of coffee.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon “Share-Bear” of Thief River Falls; six children, Tammy (Daniel) Olson of Edinburg, N.D., Peter (Candy) Kelly of White Bear Lake, Cindy (Chris) Vargason of Edinburg, N.D., Kristine (Scott Langlie) Hallstrom of Thief River Falls, Wendy (Duke) Garfve of Warren and Brent (Jessica) Pedersen of Thief River Falls; 16 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Rosalie Taylor of Marietta, Jackie (Sylvester) Schleppenback, Dean (Marvalyn) Kelly of Maxwell, Iowa, Bonnie Telshaw of Belle Plaine; and many other relatives and friends, including Scott Baril his friend of 34 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, David; and brother-in-law, Wayne Taylor.
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