Cover photo for Signe Kelly's Obituary
Signe Kelly Profile Photo
1918 Signe 2005

Signe Kelly

May 3, 1918 — September 2, 2005

Signe Jeanette Kelly, passed away Friday, September 2, 2005, at the Pioneer Retirement Community, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Signe was a long time resident of Ortonville where she lived and raised her family, from 1945 to 2001.



Born May 3, 1918 to Andrew "A.K." and Josephine "Josie" (Huselid) Olson of Clinton, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Clinton, Minnesota and graduated from Clinton High School, in 1936. After graduation she attended the Minnesota Business College and later worked at a law office, in Minneapolis (as a stenographer), and for the Big Stone County Extension Service. In addition, she was a business woman and owned and operated Kelly's Imports Gift Shop, in Ortonville, and was the exclusive, upper Midwest distributor for Meldona greeting cards (Italian, silk reproductions of the master artists).



On October 10, 1943, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Clinton, Minnesota, Signe was united in marriage to John D. "Jack" Kelly. They lived in several states over the next year, as Jack was in the Army Air Corp training to be a C-47 pilot. After WWII, they made their home in Ortonville.



Signe's many interests included reading, flower gardening and playing bridge. She was an excellent photographer and belonged to many clubs and organizations including: Ortonville Study Club, Birthday Club, Bridge Club, Church Circle and Alter Guild. More than anything else, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.



Signe is survived by her four children: Jack (MaryJo), Mike (Becky), Jodi Beck (Rod Jensen) and Jim; one sister Mrs. Estelle Hanson; 9 grandchildren: John Kelly, Andrea Kelly, Ryan Kelly, Lisa Anderson, Kristine Welle, Nathanael Kelly, Vaughn Kelly, Seth Kelly, and Ana Kelly; four great grandchildren: Andrew Anderson, Alex Anderson, Anna Kelly and Marley Abelseth; and one unborn (baby Welle) great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband (Jack), one sister (Evelyn Olson), three brothers (Kenneth, Lawrence and Harold Olson) and her parents (Andrew and Josephine Olson).



Signe's big heart, love of people, infectious smile and keen sense of humor will be dearly missed. "To live in the hearts we leave is not to die" (Thomas Campbell). "For we know life is never measured by how many years we live but by the kindly things we do and the happiness we give". (First Corinthians). Two quotes she loved and how appropriate they are.



Memorials are preferred to: Signe Kelly Memorial Fund (to be used for the Salvation Army Flood Relief and First English Lutheran Church) at: Jack Kelly, 6405 Colony Way, #1C, Edina, MN 55435.

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