Sara J. Kelly, 64, of Marble Rock, passed away peacefully Monday morning, May 23, 2011, at her home after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
A funeral Mass for Sara Kelly will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Roseville. Monsignor Walter Brunkan will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Roseville.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Roseville Gymnasium where there will be a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue after 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the gymnasium.
Sara Jane Warner was born July 25, 1946, in Charles City, the daughter of Ceo D. and Sadie M. (McMullen) Warner. Growing up in Rockford, she was the eighth of nine children. In 1964, she graduated from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School. On October 23, 1965, she was united in marriage to Norman Kelly at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Roseville. Together they made their home on the Kelly family century farm near Marble Rock where they raised their four children. In addition to helping on the farm, Sara also had various other jobs over the years including Marble Rock town librarian, waitress at Clancey’s, Farmers Cooperative, and media aide for RRMR School for 15 years, retiring in July of 2010. Sara was also a long time active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church - Roseville and Rosary Society. Above all, she was devoted to her family and friends and was a very patient and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Sara loved life and some of the things she loved most were family gatherings for birthdays and holidays, hours spent in her large vegetable garden and among her perennial flower beds, watching the many birds that visited her feeders, cross country skiing, reading by herself and to the grandchildren and visiting and traveling with friends or family. Over the years, she was involved in many activities including Hi-Neighbor Club, Cub Scouts, 4-H, Bowling League, canoeing and camping. Sara’s family was very important to her and her grandchildren will especially remember her tea parties, sunflower houses, garden “jungle”, and “adventures” including 4-wheeler rides, time at the river and sandpit. She was always ready to try new things and visit new places. It is hard to put into words everything Sara’s life was, but she will be missed greatly.
Living family members include her husband, Norm Kelly of Marble Rock; four children, Bob Kelly of Mason City, Mardel (Rod) Brockett of Reinbeck, Andy (Dr. Corey) Kelly of Sherrill and Frank (Mary) Kelly of Mason City; eight grandchildren, Kelly, Sadie and Paul Brockett, Skyler, Liam and Bryce Kelly and Ryan and Avery Kelly; two sisters, Bethel (Ronald) Ritter of Charles City and Ethel Ann Lane of Frederic, Wis.; four brothers, Allan (Betty) Warner of Charles City, Charles (Audrey) Warner of Sheffield, David (Cheryl) Warner of Greene and Gary (Virginia) Warner of Denver; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Gordon and Max Warner.
The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.
