Mark Kelly

Mark Raymond Kelly was born August 2, 1952 in Alexandria, MN the son of Joseph and Magdalen (Suchy) Kelly. He grew up in Garfield, MN and he attended school in Alexandria, MN. Mark held several jobs beginning work as a mechanic. He also worked for Buttweiler?s Do-All, Rainbow Painting and Carlson Construction. On December 3, 1977 Mark was united in marriage to Marilyn Hanson at St. Ann?s Catholic Church in Brandon. The couple was blessed with four children, John, Tim, Andy, and Susan. In 1980, with the help of friends and family, Mark and Marilyn built a home on Big Chip Trail near Garfield. In 1981 Mark began raising hogs and beef cattle. He enjoyed doing woodworking and taught himself finish carpentry. In 1992 he entered the art of creating handmade caskets. Mark made approximately two hundred caskets over the next several years for the people of Douglas County. He expanded his business to custom cabinet making. He designed and manufactured all of the cabinet components in his own shop. Mark?s caskets and cabinets were made to reflect his values; they were made strong, almost always of oak, they were made to last and they were made with the care of a master craftsman. When Mark was asked to remove the cross design he placed on the corners of his casket his answer was simple, ?No?. Faith was very important to him, which he taught to his family. He was a lifelong member of St. Ann?s Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and he supported the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. He made a point to pray the Rosary daily. One of Mark?s favorite pastimes was arguing politics. His position was conservative and his tactic was to be stubborn. He listened to Rush Limbaugh and he always liked listening to talk radio while he worked. It was rarely shut off in the shop but he would always turn it off while he had visitors. Mark also liked to maintain trails through the woods on his property and enjoyed going for walks. Given the choice Mark always drove the ?scenic route? whenever he headed out. He also enjoyed going deer hunting. Most important to Mark was his family. He always lent his children a hand with shop projects or 4-H projects. Spending time with his grandchildren was something Mark looked forward to. On Saturday, December 12, 2009 Mark died at the age of fifty-seven, after an unexpected infection and meningitis took his life. His parents preceded him in death. Mark is survived by his wife, Marilyn Kelly of Garfield; three sons, John Kelly of Evansville, Tim Kelly and wife, Becky, of Holdingford, Andy Kelly and wife, Annie, of Casselton, ND; one daughter, Susan Kelly of Garfield; three grandchildren, Allison, Jack and Austin Kelly; four sisters, Sharon Carlson of Alexandria, Colleen Boesen and husband Gary, of Alexandria, Catherine Rudolph and husband, Tom, of Sauk Rapids, and Mary Betterman and husband, Charles, of Parkers Prairie, MN; three brothers, Joe Kelly and wife, Judy, of Alexandria, Anthony Kelly and wife, JoAnn, of Garfield, and Tom Kelly and wife, Sheila, of Garfield; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, December 17, 2009 at St. Ann?s Church in Brandon. Reverend Father Leroy Schierl and Reverend Father Eugene Lemm will be the celebrants. Bernie Thoennes and Evelyn Lanners will provide music. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Casket bearers include Greg Bitzan, Craig Haseman, George Slack, Larry Slack, Ray Otto, Dennis Klimek, Donny Week and Steve Wendland. Honorary casket bearers include all of Mark?s godchildren, Carol Jellings, Brian Rudolph, Jessica Brunsvold, Jenny Schuman, Kelsey Kelly and Dillon Kelly. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home