Robert F. Kelley, 58
Published 7:50 am Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Robert F. Kelley, 58 of Austin, Minnesota, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Rochester, Saint Marys Campus, in Rochester, Minnesota, following complications from a long battle with multiple sclerosis.
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Robert F. Kelley, 58
Robert Fredrick “Bob” was born in England on July 16, 1959, to Myrle W. and Mary Lou (Godfredson) Kelley. The son of a military father, his family lived in various places throughout the world during his youth. They settled in Leslie, Michigan, for a time, and it was there Bob graduated from high school. His family later moved to the Austin/Albert Lea, Minnesota, area. Bob returned to school and earned his machinist associate degree from Austin Area Vocational-Technical School (now Riverland Community College). He was united in marriage to Dorothy Johnson in September 1978, and they had two sons Alan and Robert. They later divorced. Bob worked his entire career with Owatonna Tool Company (now SPX Corporation) until taking early retirement. On Jan. 24, 2014, he married Donna L. Freiermuth. He enjoyed working with pewter, collecting knives and swords, and expressing his creativity while working on his computer. To his family and friends, Bob was known as a man with a very generous heart, and treasured time spent with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Donna of Austin; sons, Robert (Monica) Johnson of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Alan (Ariana) Johnson of Hayward, Wisconsin; stepdaughters, Jasmine Miller of Floyd, Virginia, and Stephanie Valek of Plymouth, Minnesota; six grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren; brother, Myrle (Chris) Kelley of Paris, Arkansas; sisters, Cindy (Daniel) Olmstead of Pleasant Lake, Michigan, and Candace (Darin) Hable of Albert Lea, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Debra at infancy; and great-nephews, Jayce and Zane Hable.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online atwww.worlein.com.