Marilyn Kelly 1933-2014
Marilyn J. Kelly, 81, Holton, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.
She was born Feb. 17, 1933, in Holton, the daughter of Boyd and Daisy Fernkopf Riley. She graduated from Holton High School in 1950. She attended Kansas State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in 1955 and a master’s degree in 1975.
Mrs. Kelly was a home economics and grade school teacher in various towns, including Circleville, Soldier, Portland, Ore., Pratt, Topeka and Holton. She spent the last 20 years of her working career as a counselor at Holton elementary and middle schools, retiring in 1995.
She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church, the Altar Society at the church, the Tourist Club and the Garden Club, all in Holton.
She married Paul E. Kelly on June 28, 1955, at Holton. He died May 20, 2012. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Norma Roberts and Phyllis Wallisch.
Survivors include four sons, Timothy Kelly, Topeka, Thomas Kelly and wife Annette and Sean Kelly, all of Holton, and Brendan Kelly and wife Deb, Shawnee; a brother, Loren Riley, Gold Canyon, Ariz.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Marilyn will lie in state after noon Monday at the funeral home. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home, followed by visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund or Beck-Bookman Library, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436.