Evangeline A. (Cruise) Kelly

Evangeline Kelly, 92, of Britt passed away Thursday, January 3, 2008 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services for Evangeline Kelly will be held Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt with Rev. Henry Huber officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held Monday, January 7, 2008 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and one hour prior to services at the church. The Catholic Daughters will lead the Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Evangeline Agnes (Cruise) Kelly was born in Wesley, Iowa to Eva (Aldrich) Cruise and John T. Cruise on September 10, 1915. She was educated at St. Joseph’s Academy and Wesley Public High School. She also attended Iowa State Teacher’s College for 2.5 terms.

Evangeline taught in the Country School System for Kossuth, Humboldt and Hancock Counties for eight years. Later in her career, she was a special reading instructor for six years and also did substitute teaching in Indianapolis, Indiana. She later was the Librarian for the Springfield, Ohio library system for two years and served as a Librarian in St. Paul, Minnesota for eight years. In addition, she served in many volunteer functions such as the Care Center in St. Paul and the Food Program for the homeless in the St. Paul area.

Evangeline was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt where she was very active in Catholic Daughters. She was also involved with the Retired Teachers’ Association, K.C. Auxiliary, Rosary Guild, Hancock County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Minnesota Historical Society, Iowa Historical Society, Hancock County Historical Society and the Friends of the Public Library.

On January 3, 1946 Evangeline married Ensign Robert T. Kelly at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt and this union was blessed with two children, Elizabeth Eleanor Kelly Gigax and Paula Marie Kelly. Upon Robert’s retirement she returned to Britt after having lived in Wesley, Britt, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota. When Evangeline retired the couple enjoyed traveling in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Evangeline is survived by her two daughters: Elizabeth (Ken) Gigax and Paula Kelly; along with several other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert on January 15, 2007; two brothers: Vincent Cruise and James Cruise; five sisters: Kathryn Ewing, Phyllis Mullin, Donna Dwyer, Patricia Myhr and Jean May.