Bob Kelly, age 69, of Lake View, Iowa passed away at Loring Hospital on December 15, 2021 after a brief illness.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 20, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA, with Father Joe Dillinger officiating. Burial will take place at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of Farber & Otteman Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday evening, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., December 19, 2021, at the church.
Robert James Kelly was born in Sibley, Iowa on October 8, 1952 to Vernon Kelly and Elizabeth (McCoy) Kelly. He was the third of five boys and spent his childhood years helping on the farm, participating in school sports and getting into mischief. Bob graduated from Coon Rapids High School and spent time at Wayne State College as a member of the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity where he met brothers who became lifelong friends. He was united in marriage with Patricia Shelp on February 12, 1977 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Auburn and they made their home in Lake View immediately. Bob was a long-time employee of Shamrock Boat Sales in Carnarvon. He was a Master Mechanic, possessed incredible knowledge of motors and took great pride in his work. Bob and Pat purchased Shamrock Boat Sales in 2003 and worked side by side until their retirement in 2017.
Bob had a strong work ethic, sense of community and high standards. Outside of ‘the shop’ he gave his time and spent his energy serving others as a volunteer fireman, school board member/President, youth religious studies leader, Blackhawk Men’s Club member, chain gang volunteer and supporter of the Black Hawk Lake Protective Association. Bob was also an active member at St Joseph’s Catholic Church. He played the role of pontoon captain/tube-puller extraordinaire for his three daughters and their friends and was a devoted Cubs, Vikings and Cyclone fan. One of the highlights of the last 10 years was taking his three oldest grandsons to Wrigley Field. The highlight was without a doubt witnessing the Cubs win the World Series. Bob spent many hours on the golf course and although his game never improved, he valued the friendships made in the clubhouse. He enjoyed a good mystery novel, putzing around the lake by land or water, chatting about historical events, making annual trips to Mexico or Jamaica, and listening to Cubs games on the radio.
Bob is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Pat (Shelp) Kelly of Lake View; his daughters: Stephanie (Tobin) Bush of Waukee, Sheila Kelly (fiancé Darrin Janning) of Carroll, and Stacy (Chase) Andersen of Arcadia; eight grandchildren: Tyler Kelly, Ethan and Lilly Fitzsenry, Emmie Janning, Nile and Ellie Bush, and Bryant and Hartley Andersen; brothers Joe (Linda) Kelly of Sioux Falls, SD, Tom (Mary) Kelly of Port Charlotte, Florida, Pat (Kim) Kelly of Des Moines and Mike (Lyla) Kelly of Des Moines. He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Elizabeth and infant brother Billy.