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Photo of Marlys J. (Goetz) Kelly

Marlys J. (Goetz) Kelly

11/4/1939 - 6/22/2010


Obituary


Marlys J. (Goetz) Kelly, 70, died peacefully on Sunday, June 20, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa in Mason City surrounded by her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 139 3rd Street South East, in Britt with Father Henry Huber officiating.  Burial will take place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, with a scriptural wake service at 8:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to funeral services at the Church.

Marlys, the daughter of Joseph and Marjorie (Sparks) Goetz was born November 4, 1939 on a farm northwest of Wesley.  She graduated from Wesley High School in 1957.  Following graduation, Marlys attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls for two years.  She then was employed with Remington Rand in Des Moines.

Marlys was united in marriage with Paul Kelly on February 16, 1960 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley.  The couple lived for a short time in Des Moines before moving back to Britt in August.

Marlys took great joy in her nine children and their many activities including 4-H, softball, volleyball, golf, football, track, basketball, and wrestling.  She found it especially rewarding to see her sons walk in the State High School Wrestling grand march.  West Hancock and Iowa State University athletics continued to be a major part of her activities up to her death.

Until recent years maintaining a large vegetable and flower garden consumed much of her free time.  She also enjoyed the holidays and any other occasion the family got together.  She was very proud of the fact that her grandchildren were equal in number at 11 girl and 11 boys.

She also cherished her time spent with her sisters Joan, Toots and Normie.  When the Goetz girls got together to shop, talk, and take weekend trips…. rest assured there was very little sleep and much laughter.

She always looked forward to her Thursday morning coffee group friends.

Marlys was most excited to be have been healthy enough to celebrate with Paul their 50th wedding anniversary and 50th year in business on April 10, 2010.  She was also able to celebrate the wedding of her son Jeff to Sara in early June.

Marlys is survived by her husband of 50 years, Paul of Britt; nine children and their families: Karen and Michael Sankey of Algona and their sons, Robert and William, Connie Kelly of Cedar Rapids, Timothy and ReNae Kelly of Plover, Wisconsin and their children, Regan, Elizabeth, Jack and Grace, Jeffrey and Sara Kelly of Urbandale, Michael and Susan Kelly of Ankeny and their children, Storm, Rachel, Brooklyn, and Paul, Patrick and Lisa Kelly Topeka, Kansas and their children Ryan, Bailey, and Ella, Steven and DeAnna Kelly of Britt and their children, Cole, Kennedy, Creighton, and Hayden, Kristie and Nathan Smith of Ankeny and their children, Tillie and Maizie, and Mark and Morgan Kelly of Ankeny and their children, Maclaine, Bria, and Cameron; three sisters: Joan Grandgenett of Wesley, Carol (Toots) Youngworth and her husband John of Wesley and Norma Biegger of Polk City, and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lois Weiland and brother, Bill Goetz.