Gerold M. Kelly Obituary (1967 - 2014)

Gerold M. Kelly, 47, of Winthrop, Iowa, entered into his eternal rest surrounded by his loving family on May 20, 2014, at ABCM Rehabilitation Center West Campus. He died after a nearly 5-year courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Gerold M. Kelly was born on April 13, 1967, to Gordon and Geraldine (Polk) Kelly in Sumner, Iowa. He grew up in the town of Maynard. He graduated from West Central High School with the Class of 1985. On August 17, 1996, he married Katina Diane Tempus at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence. To this union three sons were born: Jared, Jacob and Keaton. He worked for various local farmers around the Maynard area prior to and after graduation. After his farming accident in January 1991, he attended Hawkeye Community College taking courses in Civil Construction Engineering. He worked at Independence Corn-By Products and Wieland and Sons Lumber Company. His illness forced him to quit working in December 2012 and go on Medical Disability. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he was able to work for Harlan and Larry Murley on the farm. He loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling. Gerold could always be found outside, either taking care of the baby calves he raised or tinkering on something in his shop. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. One favorite family activity included going on WMT's Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, traveling to many parts of Iowa. He enjoyed driving a Farmall 460, Farmall 300, John Deere 3010 and his own John Deere 4010 on the scenic routes during Tractorcade. He emceed the tractor pull at the Aurora 4th of July celebration for many years. Gerold enjoyed organizing and helping at both Winthrop's and Aurora's tractor pulls. He was a member of Church of Christ United, Winthrop; Winthrop Fire Department, Aurora Community Club, and Winthrop Community Club. He volunteered at many different functions throughout the county. He was always willing to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. He is survived by his wife, Tina; sons Jared (16), Jacob (13) and Keaton (10); his parents Gordon and Geraldine Kelly of Maynard; Two brothers Galen(Michele) and Gary (Lisa) both of Fayette; One sister Garla (Mark) Rader of Floyd; parents-in-law Chuck and Lois Tempus of Aurora; brothers-in-law Tom (Ann) Tempus of Independence and Troy(Lisa)Tempus of Winthrop; 4 nieces Amanda Kelly, Sasha (Ronnie) Hoover, Amber Snyder and Nace Waterman; and 10 nephews Travis Kelly, Hunter Kelly, Blake, Cole, Ben, Nick and Lane Tempus and Luke, Eric and Ryan Tempus; great nephew Ryden Hoover, many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. He is preceded in death by his sister Glenda; uncles Eldon and Duane Polk and Loren Smith; aunts Marbeth Kelly, Elaine Kelly and Phyllis Polk; paternal grandparents Cecil and Lucile Kelly and maternal grandparents Gerald and Helen Polk. Our family will miss his love, loyalty, friendship and hard-work ethic. Services will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday, May 23, 2014 at the Church of Christ United with Pastor Dean Schlitter officiating. Music will be provided by organist Anita Bowden, Missy Cook and the Church Adult Choir. Casket bearers will be Brad Brownell, Jim Duffy, Jon Hanson, Jason Kress, Nick Krum and Jason Snyder. Honorary Casket bearers will be Harlan Murley, Larry Murley and Mark Murley. Interment will be in Fremont Township Cemetery north of Winthrop. The Fawcett Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements. Friends may call from 3 PM until 8 P.M. Thursday, May 22 at Fawcett's and after 9:30 AM Friday at the Church. To send an online condolence go to www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries. The Family will be wearing Purple shirts at the visitation to signify the pancreatic cancer research to find a cure, and anyone else is welcome to also wear purple during the visitation at the funeral home.