Richard Joseph Kelley, 93

Published 3:02 pm Sunday, October 8, 2017

Richard Joseph Kelley, 93, of Austin, Minnesota, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017.

Richard Joseph Kelley, 93

Richard was born Dec. 5, 1923, in Austin to Daniel Kelley and Loretta (Gorman) Kelley. He graduated from Waterloo High School in Waterloo, Iowa, where he was an avid basketball player. Richard had been invited to play professional basketball but chose to protect and serve his country during World War II.

Richard married the love of his life, Isabel Flanders. She passed away in 1969. Together they had two children, Tim and Mary.  Richard was a longtime member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church. In 1974, he married Tillie Svenson. Richard retired from Weyerhaeuser in 1984 after working there for 30 years. Richard and Tillie moved to Babbitt, Minnesota, and made that their home together until they moved to Arizona in 1991. They then moved back to Austin in 2005 to be closer to their family and back to a smaller community. Wherever their home was, they made sure to enjoy life to its fullest.

Richard had many hobbies that he enjoyed. Most important were fishing with family and friends, and building ham radios.  In his later years, he looked forward to his daily visits from his great-grandson, Ayden. His smile would light up a room the moment Ayden walked in.

Survivors include his daughter, Mary (Jay) Evenson, Austin; daughter-in-law, Chrystine Kelley, Colorado; grandchildren, Skyler Evenson, Elizabeth Evenson, Abby Evenson, Emily Evenson, Cory Shuster, Erin Villanueva, and Christopher (Christina) Kelley; and great-grandchildren, Ayden Evenson, Jack Evenson, Kayson Shuster, Rya Shuster, Jonah Kelley, Tyler Kelley, and Kendall Villanueva.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roger Kelley; son, Tim Kelley; first wife, Isabel; and second wife, Tillie.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Raul Silva officiating. There will be a 3:30 p.m. rosary on Sunday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 3-5 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Monday.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and VFW Post #1216.

Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.