Catherine Ann Kelly

Catherine Ann Kelly was born in Waterloo, Iowa, March 20, 1929, the daughter of Martin and Margaret McGrath Lilly. She was raised at Fonda, Iowa, where she received her elementary and high school education at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School from which she graduated in 1947. Following high school she furthered her education at the State Teachers College in Cedar Falls for two years where she received her teaching certificate. On March 31, 1951, Catherine was united in marriage with Louis Kelly at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda, Iowa. Their union was blessed with three children, Michael, Cynthia and Paul. The family made their home in rural Marathon where they farmed and Catherine lovingly cared for her family. Louis died May 4, 1975. Following the death of her husband, Catherine remained on the farm until 1980 when she moved to Sioux Rapids, Iowa. As someone who liked to stay busy, she was employed for five years as the cook at the Sioux Rapids Care Center. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, Rosary making and socializing with family and friends. She was devoted to her Catholic Faith and was a long time active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux Rapids where she was a member of the Ladies Guild, D.C.C.W, served funeral dinners and was a CCD teacher. On July 6th of this year Catherine moved to Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa, and it was there her death occurred early Tuesday, August 30, 2011. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 82 years, 5 months and 10 days. Including her parents, Martin and Margaret Lilly, and her husband, Louis, Catherine was also preceded in death by her daughter, Cynthia Johnson and her brother, Thomas Lilly. Those remaining to cherish her memory include two sons: Michael Kelly of Rembrandt, Iowa, and the Rev. Paul J. Kelly of Denison, Iowa; son-in-law: Gerald Johnson of Fonda, Iowa; three grandchildren: Rachael and husband, John Parker of Des Moines, Iowa, Thomas Johnson of Ames, Iowa and Kelly Johnson of Iowa City, Iowa; two sisters: Harriet and husband, George Green of Springfield, Nebraska and Eleanor and husband, Robert Weiler of York, Nebraska, other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 2, 2011 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison with her son, the Rev. Paul J. Kelly as Celebrant and the priests of the Diocese of Sioux City serving as Concelebrants. Other participating in the mass included Christian Symbol Placers: Michael Kelly and Gerald Johnson; Servers: Cory Miller and Austin Freese; Lector: Sr. Elena Hoye; and Giftbearers: the grandchildren. Music for the Mass included soloist, EveVonne Muff singing “Ave Maria” and St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing “I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say”, “King of Love”, “I Am The Bread of Life” and “O Loving God” with Jean Cornelius serving as accompanist. Immediately following the mass all were invited to the Parish Center for fellowship and a meal prepared and served by Staley’s Food Service and St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. Graveside prayers and interment were held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, September 2, 2011 at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Fonda, Iowa. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.